LEHIGH COUNTY, Pa. — In many spiritual beliefs, a visit from a cardinal actually is a visit from a deceased loved one, checking in and telling you you're going to be OK.
For Diane Nuss-Boyce, of Hatfield, Montgomery County, that visit came in the form of a painting of a cardinal on a small rock, placed on the shore of Mauch Chunk Lake in Jim Thorpe, where she and her recently deceased father used to fish.
"It makes me happy knowing I can cheer people up."Heather Gower of Whitehall Township
On a Facebook post, Nuss-Boyce wrote: "Missing my fishing partner so much, especially now with the year mark approaching since he has passed. What are the chances of finding this beautiful painted cardinal? Yes, I think he was truly here with me this morning. Miss you, Dad! Fish on!!"
Heather Gower, of Whitehall Township, said she painted it simply because she loves the red bird. She said she had no idea if anyone else would stumble upon it, let alone someone in pain.
"It makes me happy knowing I can cheer people up," Gower said.
That's just one of the many stories of impact that have come from the group Lehigh Valley Rocks, an 18,000-strong group of Lehigh Valley community members committed to one purpose: "To spread happiness, love & inspiration through the simple gesture of painting rocks & 'hiding' them throughout the community for others to find," according to the Facebook page's bio.
'Word traveled fast'
It all started as a neighborhood game.
In September 2016, Dana Werkheiser of Allentown, along with her sister-in-law Erin Quin of Northampton, saw a Facebook post from Texas featuring a group of neighbors hiding painted rocks for others to find.
"We were inspired," said Quin, a full-time nanny and new mom. "We thought that it was such a fun idea for the kids, to get them outside in their communities and away from screens."
"We had no idea it would become this popular. Now, rocks painted in the Lehigh Valley are being found all over the world."Erin Quin of Northampton
At first, it was a small effort among neighbors.
Armed with a bag of painted rocks (to hide, not to throw), Quin, Werkheiser and other neighbors made their way through local parks and playgrounds, placing rocks wherever they could.
According to Quin, word traveled fast, and what began as a five-person effort soon morphed into an 18,000-person one.
"We had no idea it would become this popular," Quin said. "Now, rocks painted in the Lehigh Valley are being found all over the world."
Cute drawings, uplifting messages
From the littlest child to the most experienced artist, anyone can participate in "Lehigh Valley Rocks."
According to Quin, all you need is a rock, a paintbrush and some waterproof sealant.
Don't forget: "On the back of the rocks, we ask our members to label them with 'Lehigh Valley Rocks on Facebook' so people can find our group and share their creations and finds.
"With all the negativity you see in the news and on social media, our mission with Lehigh Valley Rocks is to help spread a little love in the community."Erin Quin of Northampton
"Sometimes, if people's creations aren't 'found,' they can get pretty disappointed."
Folks can take as much liberty as they'd like with what they paint on it.
During autumn, grinning pumpkins and wicked witches decorate the stones hidden at D&L Trail. In spring, folks pick up painted flowers and cursive messages reading "Happy Spring!"
Some rocks are locally themed, featuring painted Lehigh Valley landscapes or popular spots.
In other situations, picking up a little rock with a "Smile! Have a great day!" message on it can mean the difference between a good day and a bad one.
More than creativity, more than getting exercise, for Quin, Lehigh Valley Rocks is about spreading kindness.
"With all the negativity you see in the news and on social media, our mission with Lehigh Valley Rocks is to help spread a little love in the community."
And on that day on the banks of Mauch Chunk Lake, it was much-needed love that a woman who recently lost her fishing buddy got.
