Laveda D. Rockford

  Beauty Before and Beyond painting by Laveda D. Rockford In honor of the Cherokee Nation, I would like to introduce you to my newest painting, Beauty Before and Beyond .  This painting is a representation of the educational history of my Cherokee ancestry. The two Sequoyah trees are in honor of Sequoyah who started developing the Cherokee syllabary in 1809, and the first Cherokee newspaper, The Cherokee Phoenix, that was published in 1828.    On the eastern side of the United States of America, the resilience of the Cherokee people could be seen through the Cherokee syllabary. Sequoyah was illiterate and uneducated according to the standards of the day. However, this brilliant man fashioned and formed the communication that was dearly needed. Though its future seemed to be doomed when they were forced to walk through fields, forests, and across the river into an area unknown to them called Oklahoma. Would they survive after the Trail of Tears ? Yes, the ninebark in...

Today is Father’s Day and I want to wish all of the Dads out there a very Happy Father’s Day! I know that during these trying times life can feel overwhelming. Whether through the pressures of your daily activities, work, or with some, the inability to do things that should or need to be done, this can cause some to crumble. Well, I’m here to tell you that we have a God that will lift you up, that forgives sins, and cares for you more than you know. He loves you enough to die on a cross for you and that, in and of itself, shows the unexplainable love that He has for you. If you have accepted His love, and are living under His care, don’t be so hard on yourself. Yes, life is difficult, but you have a home and you are only a sojourner on this earth. So, look up and smile today, for God is good and worthy to be praised! Happy Father’s Day and God bless you! ©  2018 Laveda D. Rockford