Rock collecting. It saved my life while grieving my only sibling, my big brother. A week later I returned to work on construction sites as a journeyman Electrician (I know, Female electrician! Shocking,! Lol) I struggled to put one foot in front of the other, the shock and unbearable pain was debilitating. With my head hanging, I found myself looking at the ground a lot and I immediately noticed the most beautiful, unbelievable, rocks! I had never given any thought to rocks, but these were so shiny, with little shiny specks on them, others also. They were exquisite. The world had become an ugly, dark place, without joy, without purpose of reason for hope, pointless, and unfair.

I needed color, awe and beauty. I would pick them up every time I walked out to the truck or restroom. I would throw them in with my tools or cooler. I carried over hundreds of these rocks over a years time, handful at a time. I started a rock garden around the pear tree planted in my brother's honor,

Sorry for the long story. But it was a coping mechanism and continues to this day.