Originally posted by Kari Hulac (Editor) , May 08, 2013 at 02:13 PM. For more Pleasanton Patch blog posts, click here.
Sometimes when you hit bottom in life the universe is kind enough to send a message to remind you that if your eyes are open, really, really open, something simple and good and beautiful might appear to keep a sliver of hope alive.
Such a message appeared last weekend in the form of two mystery paintings left alongside trails at Augustin Bernal Park. The artist (or artists) couldn't have picked a better time to leave such heartfelt messages for anyone to find.
On a hike Saturday we spied a small painting anchored in place by a single rock alongside a steep trail about half way to the top. It was a beautiful blend of hills and color, with a pink flowering tree, yellow flowers and swaths of blues and greens.
We felt like we were the luckiest people in the world to have even noticed the painting in the first place. But when we picked it up and turned it over, we discovered something even better.
On the back was a penciled note, addressed to "lovely human being," explaining that what we held in our hands was an "encouragement painting," put there just to say, "You are doing great!!!" "Isn't life beautiful?!"
We carefully placed it back on the ground, happy to picture another hiker finding it and reading its friendly message.
As if finding one trail-side gift wasn't enough, a few minutes later we found a second painting on a different route. It was a watercolor of a butterfly floating above a green hillside.
It said, "If you found this painting, it was meant for you. No matter what's going on in your life, stop. Look around at the purple flowers, the butterflies — God made this all for you to enjoy. Breathe and have peace in his beautiful artwork, all for you."