The beautiful dogwood, a beautiful story

When I was in elementary school I had heard the story of the crucifixion of Jesus. For those that are younger, you heard right; I heard about it not only in Sunday School but also in school. Being Cristian, this was a paramount part of my religion. The body of Jesus, nailed to a cross, head down with blood flowing from a crown of thorns was branded into one’s brain. This method of death was common for those accused and found guilty in ancient Rome. Then one day during the Easter season I heard the story of the Dogwood. The story was in a holiday magazine known as Ideals; a holiday specific magazine that contained beautiful photographs that provides hope and renewal The story of the dogwood was one of those fun stories that a person relives with enjoyment during special times of the year. Unlike the stories within the Bible, the story of the dogwood is not based on religious scholar but is one of those stories that reinforces ones belief in his religion, but in a fun way.
When I first heard the story I had not examined a living dogwood but spurred me to go out to find one. It was a thrilling experience as I marveled at how a plant could so closely resemble the story of the crucifixion of Jesus and so many other thousands around the world. The following is the story of the dogwood. The actual author has been lost in time.

In Jesus’ time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.
‘Twas strong & firm it’s branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.
Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
“Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so
Slender & twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.
As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom’s center wears a throny crown.
All who see it will remember me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.
Cherished and protected this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony.
The story as depicted in the magazine not only presented the story but there was also a drawing of an angel hovering over the tree as she poured the blood of Jesus onto a Dogwood.
I recall going home and finding the beautiful blooming tree and stand there peering at a dogwood blossom. I was truly mesmerized. The cross was there as was the indentations at the end of each petal as if left from the crucifixion nails. Each part of the flower added to the story, but the most amazing part to me was the stains where each nail indention was present. The color of the nail indention was identical to old blood and made an impression on a third grader in the deep south.
These are the fun stories that become a part of our country’s fiber. The little pieces of our lives that make up the customs and traditions of our great country. It is important that we keep these stories as a part of our heritage to be passed from generation to generation.
God Bless America, God Save the Ukraine and Pray for Israel.