Dogwood Tree/ Cross

As one legend goes, at the time of Christ's crucifixion,

the dogwood tree was as tall as the oak and other forest trees.

Its wood was so strong and firm that it was chosen for the cross.

The tree was very distressed to be used for such a purpose

and Jesus understood.

He told the tree, "Because of your regret and pity for my suffering,

I promise this: never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross.

Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross.

And in the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints.

And in the center of the flower, brown with rust and stained with blood, will be a crown of thorns

so that all who see it will remember it was upon a dogwood tree that I was crucified,

and this tree shall not be mutilated nor destroyed,

but cherished and protected

as a reminder of my agony and death upon the cross."