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Westchester Mom 'Rocks' It With Inspirational Messages On Stones

Tara Unger is hoping to bring more kindness and inspiration into the world -- or at least into her small part of Northern Westchester.

Making inspirational rocks in Katonah.

Making inspirational rocks in Katonah.

Photo Credit: Tara Unger
Some of the inspirational rocks made by Katonah mom Tara Unger and her kids.

Some of the inspirational rocks made by Katonah mom Tara Unger and her kids.

Photo Credit: Tara Unger

Two days after the riots in Charlottesville, VA in August, the Katonah mom felt she had to do something to both help make sense of the world -- and teach her kids they are responsible for how their future will look.

And so, she started painting inspirational messages on stones and leaving them around town.  

"The hope was that someone having a hard day/time, walking with their head down, would spot one and smile. 

"The idea was that the message on the stone would give them hope, and let them know that someone cares," she said.

Soon after she first began, the project spread to Bedford Hills and Mount Kisco with her eight and 13-year-old getting into the decorating. 

"We brainstormed some places where the rocks would do the most good; the neighborhood hospital, train station, schools, and so on," said Unger.

The reaction has been wonderful -- Facebook and Instagram posts --and folks who told her they were inspired to do the same. 

Among the messages: "Don't fear change;" "Someone understands," "You are beautiful," and "Teach love."

With the inventory she has, she's continuing the project into the fall. 

"Unfortunately, the news and social media remind us daily of tragedies and sadness so I think there will often be a need to brighten someone's day," she said.

That meant stepping up her efforts for 9/ll and post Hurricane Irma. 

Unger said she was really surprised by the insight and wisdom in the quotes her children came up with for their rocks. 

"They absolutely pick up on the things that are occurring around them. I'm glad this gave them an outlet to express themselves in a positive way."

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