(Jan-10-2012) Being very proud of my Cherokee Indian heritage, I look for opportunities to read more about it and to understand the way of life my ancestors experienced.  I know from reading and hearing stories over the years that their existence was not always pleasant and I have done a good bit of research on the terrible Trail of Tears where so many were uprooted, displaced, and suffered.  My precious Mama Cole often told stories about her ancestors being told to leave the only home they had ever known and having to travel thousands of rough miles to a new and feared land to virtually start over with living.  Many did not make it and children and adults died and were buried in shallow graves along the way.

Although the Cherokees have, according to history, suffered and been moved, they are still a hearty bunch with a penchant for lots of laughter, good food, sporting events, wild and furious dances, music to thrill their souls, and a vast love of nature.  Mama Cole could take you for a walk in the woods near her home in an Atlanta, GA. suburb and point out any number of home remedies to cure all ails.  A piece of root of this, a batch of bark from a favored tree, a poultice made of a mashed leaf, or a salve she kept on hand for burns, scratches, and cuts.  Did they work?  Yes!  Were they truly medicinal?  I do not know.  Perhaps it was the faith by which I believed it would, if only Mama said so.  At any rate, we were healthy children and grew to be hard working, enjoyable adults.

I have always known there was a beautiful flower that the older ladies called “the Cherokee rose,” but I never knew why it was called that or from whence it came.  While doing research for a lesson I was teaching, I ran across the legend and I admit, I was captivated by what I learned.  Perhaps you will be as well.

It was in the later half of 1838, that the Cherokee people who had not voluntarily gone west earlier were forced to leave their homes in the East.  Many could not conceive of living anywhere other than where they were born or where their tribes had wintered and summered.  My Mama Cole’s people came from the North Georgia Mountains.  The trail leading to the West was long and treacherous and many died along the way.  The hearts became heavy with sadness and mothers’ tears mingled with the dust and dirt of the trail.

The elders knew that the survival of the Cherokee children depended on the strength of the women.  One evening around the campfire, the elders called upon the Heaven Dweller and told him of the suffering and tears.  They were afraid the children would not survive to rebuild the Cherokee Nation.

It is written that the Heaven Dweller spoke to the elders saying, “To let you know how much I care, I will give you a sign.  In the morning, tell the women to look back along the trail they have walked.  Wherever their tears have fallen, I will cause to grow a plant that will have seven perfect leaves for the seven clans of the Cherokees.  Amidst this plant will be a delicate white rose with five petals.  In the center of the blossom will be a pile of gold to remind the Cherokee of the greed for the found on our land.  This plant will be sturdy and strong with stickers on all the stems.  It will defy anything that tries to destroy it.”

The next morning as the elders encouraged the walkers on the trail, they told the women to look back down the path they had walked.  A plant was growing fast and covering the trail where they had walked.  As the women watched, blossoms formed and slowly opened revealing the beauty within.  The mothers forgot their sadness.  Like the plant the women began to feel strong and beautiful. As the plant protected its blossoms, they knew they would have the courage and determination to protect their children who would begin a new Nation of Cherokee in the West.

As an added note, there are times in life with the encouragement of a single flower, or a bouquet of simple wild flowers can lift the spirit and bring joy to a hurting heart.  Perhaps there is someone in your life or heart today that could use this blessing from you.

Contact Brenda Cannon Henley:
[contact-form-7 404 "Not Found"]