Cherokee Rose

Wild Cherokee Roses still grow along the The Trail of Tears into eastern Oklahoma. The first roses grew from the tears of the Cherokee mothers who lost their children along the forced marches. Discouraged and heartbroken these mothers, living by the whims of others, were forced to leave their dying children behind. The elders prayed for a sign to lift the spirits of the mothers. In the morning a beautiful rose had grown where their tears had fell. White for their tears, gold for the lands taken, and seven leaves on each stem for the seven Cherokee clans.

You may be on the outside looking in. Your tears may be falling upon dry land. Maybe you are suffering from the whims of others. But somehow you will find strength within yourself during those hardest moments. And as you press on, every tear that you cry will be remembered and immortalized.