Daily Inspiration: Meet Karen Houck

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Houck.

Hi Karen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello I am Karen Houck, I am originally from Long Island NY and have lived in Lee’s Summit for the last 5 years.  Mom to two girls Ashley Nicole 34, and Alyssa Noelle who passed away at age 20 from an accidental drug overdose on November 26th 2011.

We try to do something “extra each year on her birthday.” In 2018 we added a permanent Kindness Rocks Garden in front of our house. Anyone, anytime, can come by and take or leave kindness rocks. It was and continues to be a popular spot for adults and children. That same year to celebrate its opening and her birthday, we had our first “Ladybug Days celebration,” which included Kindness Rocks Painting.

Alyssa always wanted to travel, and our messages (rocks) have gotten to do just that. My husband Kirby created a website www.alyssaswishes.org to document all of our activities. There are world maps of all the places we have heard that we have found. Our family has always been into animal rescue, so we have chosen charities there too. There are also links to grief information we have found helpful. And all our social media.

On Alyssa’s birthday in 2020, we decided to open a Little Free Library to go with the garden. It is called the Little Ladybug Library. Everyone was home, and the main libraries were closed due to Covid, so we were well received from the first day!! All the books have been donated, and they have become bigger than our wildest dreams!! We are approaching 15,000 books, having traveled through it to date. We have so many books and so many great donations that we let teachers come “shop” the overstock in our garage for their classrooms. We have also created the Kindness and Literacy alliance. Our Kindness Warrior and friend, Amy, helps us to keep other Little Free Libraries stocked in our areas. Especially in the Kansas City Metro. It is a great way to share the generosity of our community.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Alyssa’s Wishes shares random acts of kindness in Alyssa Noelle Audette’s honor. We do that through painting and sharing Kindness rocks and through collecting and sharing books (and the love of reading) with our community and beyond.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
In my experience grief is never smooth. Trying to function and incorporate her loss into “regular life”, was/is the challenge. To not let Alyssa not be forgotten and to honor her memory is now my mission.

Our/my biggest challenge now in 2022 is TIME. I usually paint every day; it is my therapy, a great place to put my grief. So that will never be an issue, but sorting and stickering ( we go over the bar codes, so the books can’t be resold) has become a full-time job, a wonderful, joyful job, but it does take a lot of time!!

Is something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
My dream job has always been to be a Children’s Librarian.

Pricing:

• FREE

Contact Info:

• Website: www.alyssaswishes.org
• Instagram: @alyssaswishes
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssaswishes715
• Twitter: @Alyssaswishes15