{"id":74891,"date":"2024-10-28T15:52:26","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T19:52:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/?p=74891"},"modified":"2024-10-28T16:01:26","modified_gmt":"2024-10-28T20:01:26","slug":"9-pebbles-for-bringing-a-needed-smile-to-your-face","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thestoryexchange.org\/9-pebbles-for-bringing-a-needed-smile-to-your-face\/","title":{"rendered":"9 \u2018Pebbles\u2019 for Bringing a Needed Smile to Your Face"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Like the feathered friends pictured here, humans tend to give each other small, seemingly meaningless bits of things to show love. That’s worth celebrating, really. (Credit: DSD, Pexels<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

As the incomparable Mr. Fred Rogers once sang: \u201cThere are many ways to say \u2018I love you.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re a penguin<\/a> \u2013 well, for starters, I\u2019d be very impressed by your ability to read this. But also, you\u2019d say your \u201cI love yous\u201d in part through an act known as pebbling<\/a>, or giving small stones to others as a demonstration of affection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Humans, in our funny, usually-tech-enhanced way, engage in this act, too. We show care<\/a> to one another by sending out small tokens, snacks or little bits of the internet that we find funny, charming or otherwise uplifting. I do this frequently. I’ll send a meme here, a coffee there; a choral video here, a ridiculous recipe cooked outdoors for no discernible reason there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, with each one sent, I’m not just saying, “Have you heard this piece?” or \u201cI thought you could use a pick-me-up!\u201d or “Get a load of this jamoke cooking outdoors for no discernible reason!” What I’m really trying to express to the recipient is… I love you. I thought about you. You’re the kind of person who is loved and thought about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a harrowing time. So, as I do feel connected to you \u2013 yes you, the person reading this… I’ve gathered some pebbles below. Bits of wonderful nonsense designed to make you smile, if only for a while, each one packaged in the lengthy-text-message format I use most often in my own pebbling practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just because I was thinking of you. Just because I love you.<\/p>\n\n\n

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