Momma's dogwood tree...

Every year at this time brings memories of standing in front of Momma's beloved dogwood tree to have pictures taken in our Easter Best before going to church. I've been looking through pictures and video and remembering each outfit - the soft pastel ruffles, starched crinoline pinafores, dainty lace-edged socks, shiny patent leather shoes... Many were chosen and sent by my Mimi all the way from Texas. Just like her own ensembles, she believed none of mine would be complete without a hat and little matching purse. My favorite was a Juliet-style cap formed of stiff pink netting and accented with tiny pink roses. The matching purse was made of the same netting, formed in the shape of a slightly open umbrella and also adorned with pink silk roses. I can remember holding the purse handle (actually a little pink pearlized umbrella handle) and posing in front of the dogwood tree smiling brightly. When my little brother was old enough to stand beside me in his dapper little suit complete with bow tie we would take our places together in front of the tree. For some of the pictures Momma would stand with us too, always looking willowy and lovely in her own pretty Easter frock. Daddy was never in those pictures because, of course, he was behind the camera! The beautiful dogwood tree is gone now - long ago the casualty of some tree boring insect. Daddy is gone too - celebrating Easter with the angels. Momma is still with us, in the same house where my brother and I grew up. The years and osteoporosis have changed her once tall and slender form, but cannot dim her twinkling eyes nor gentle smile. And each Easter we recall pictures taken under the dogwood tree - the perfect symbol of our Savior's love.

The Story Of The Dogwood Tree

Long ago during the days that Jesus was here on earth in the form of man there were many dogwood trees. The dogwood was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to be put to such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree.

Sensing this, the crucified Jesus in his gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it: "Because of your sorrow and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used as a cross. Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be in the form of a cross two long and two short petals.

In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints brown with rust and stained with red and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember."

Author Unknown