Lesson 112: Maria and the Rose

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

The other day someone asked me what was my most memorable moment as General Lee. That was a hard question to answer and I was unable to say at that juncture since all my experiences have been wonderful. But as I looked for some items at a local store, I noted the ‘rush for roses’ and it triggered an experience that still brings me such joy. It was during the first annual reenactment of the Battle of Charleston, South Carolina during education day. We all were at our stations and working the groups that were rotated by our tents on twenty-minute intervals. I had been talking to groups of middle school and high school students about the personal experiences of Lee during that terrible time. The next group brought a realization that I had to cater my speech to their level, for the group of children were kindergarten and first graders. I stepped into a more fatherly role and shared my time with them and was in heaven as I watched the eyes of innocence before glisten with wonder and delight. I talked of ole Tom (the cats of Mildred), Traveller, Dart and Spec and that special pony that I named Santa Anna. After my speech, I asked if there were any questions. Standing to the side of a teacher, aid or parent, was this shy little six year old with black eyes, dimples and the beautiful dark skin of her ethnicity. The adult gave her a beam of encouragement and said, “Go ahead Maria, it’s alright.” The little angel came forward and with a bashful smile that would have captured the heart of any soldier reached out her hand that contained a rose and said, “Marse Roberts my ole Ma sent this to you”, and hugged my waist. As I bent down to return her embraced, I was overcome with emotion. Here was the innocence of youth offering me a gift from the wisdom of years (her great grandmother) as only a child could do. My heart swelled with pride and love as my eyes yielded tears of gratitude. Not only for this angel eyed beauty but also for a great grandmother that I would never meet. It reminded me of my Christian charge and the shoes I was attempting to fill.

I recall reading about Lee’s observation regarding his child. He took him out walking and noted that the young man walked exactly in his footsteps and imitated his manner. Lee later observed that it would behoove him to walk in such a manner worthy of his son to follow in his footsteps. Lee adored children. Stonewall loved children. Our legacy is the children. Jesus loved children. The Bible is filled with stories of Christ’s love for the innocence of childhood. It is through the child that we continue to live with each generation passing on the torch to the next. “Blessed are the children.” In Matthew 19: 13-15, the Bible states that, “13Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them. 14But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 15And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.” In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said, “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Also in Luke 18: 15-17, you will find Christ’s love for the children. “And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 17Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”

The lesson of Maria’s rose was that we should approach all things with the innocence of a child. We should embrace those around us with unconditional love, not only during this Valentine’s Day, but everyday and greet everyone with a smile, a rose from the heart and the knowledge that we are the children of God. Thank you little Maria and Old Maw for the rose from the heart. I remain you childlike chaplain, the old general