Most everyone who lives in the Tree Streets is aware of the Rock Fairy. A mysterious and anonymous figure or figures, the Rock Fairy has spent the past months leaving lovely painted rocks with inspirational and/or aspirational messages on assorted porches.

Operating in secret, the Rock Fairy has brought genuine light and levity to many residents. A quick spin through the Tree Streets Facebook page invariably reveals someone who has recently been paid a visit by the mischievous good-hearted spirit. Without fail, the postings are brimming with positive energy and gratitude; with just this small gesture, someone’s day has been made. Dozens upon dozens of examples over the past few months – that sort of positive energy adds up.

I had been waiting to see when my house would be on the receiving end of one of the Rock Fairy’s gifts. I knew it was coming – after all, there are only so many houses to visit, even in a well-populated neighborhood such as ours. I was greatly looking forward to it, to be honest – there’s something wonderful about being part of such good-natured and thoughtful fun.

This past week, it finally happened.

We walked out our front door for our morning dog walk and there it was. Sitting on the top step of our porch, a rock painted gold bearing a simple message block-printed in black Sharpie – “You rock.” I was delighted, of course. Why wouldn’t I be? Such a small thing, you know? A tiny moment of kindness and togetherness in the face of continued uncertainty – a moment brought to fruition without desire for attention or accolades. Something done not for any sort of reward, but simply to deliver good feelings into the world – something we can all agree is a welcome addition these days.

It can be difficult to remember sometimes that we’re all in this together, so it’s nice to have someone out there who has taken it upon themselves to remind us. You might be thinking to yourself “What’s the big deal? It’s just a rock.” And to an extent, you’re right. It IS just a rock. But it’s the thought behind that rock, the selflessness that goes into doing something not for acclaim, but simply because it might make someone else’s day better – that’s what matters.

(I should probably note that I’m not at all sure that ours is the only neighborhood in which the Rock Fairy operates. It’s very possible that the Rock Fairy is out there wandering through other spots throughout the city, delivering their teensy, ebullient mini-boulders to people all over the map. If your neighborhood has a Rock Fairy of its own – or something similar – please drop me a line at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and tell me all about it.)

I don’t know who the Rock Fairy is. Truth be told, I don’t want to know, so if you happen to have that information, I ask that you keep it to yourself. The identity of our mystery stone distributor is not only not important, but beside the point. The act itself is what matters. The small, steady effort to bring a little more light into the world – that’s something that should be celebrated. It is, at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, heroic.

I hope you read this, Rock Fairy. I hope you see these words and know that I am just one of the many people whose day was made just that little bit brighter by your actions. These times are trying for all of us as we struggle to make our way forward; it warms my heart to know that there are people out there finding ways to ease that struggle, if only in a small way and for a brief moment.

In the end, there’s only one thing I can say: No, Rock Fairy – it is you who rock.