As a long-time Oklahoman, I’m no stranger to difficult weather. Living in Oklahoma taught me resilience is often rooted in adapting to harsh conditions.
In nature we find examples of resilience against all odds. Take the prickly pear cactus, a plant found in Oklahoma. As its name suggests, the cactus is familiar with the prickly parts of life, often enduring poor soil, severe droughts and extreme temperatures. Its survival strategy — storing water deep within and rationing nourishment — offers a powerful metaphor for navigating trials.
This year, Oklahoma Christian University is humbled and honored host a dedication for our Survivor Tree Memorial Plaza, a special spot on campus that is open to the public and includes two more natural examples of resilience.
Two significant trees, one grown from a seedling from the Survivor Tree at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and one grown from a cutting from the tree that survived the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, flank the plaza. The space is significant for many reasons, namely that OC is the only site in the world, outside of New York City, to have survivor trees from the Murrah Building and the World Trade Center side by side.