For the past four months, this photo has been the wallpaper on my computer. I took it along with many amazing flower photos I shared earlier this spring, both here and on Instagram. This image greets me every morning and is the last thing I see when I shut down the computer in the evening. Its ephemeral beauty keeps speaking to me at deeper levels, and as summer winds down I thought I might share some of that journey with you.
The detail at the center of the flower frequently catches my attention. There are literally dozens of perfectly formed oval yellow anthers, each perched atop their gently arched filaments. They surround the center stigma with its fourteen branching fingers, reaching out to capture pollen from another flower. I tried once to count the anthers and there are almost 100 in just the portion of the outer ring that I can see. Such extravagance!
Then there are the broad white petals surrounding this extravagant center. They flare forth perfectly, elegantly curving away while still framing the flower’s heart. I wonder if they serve in part to reflect and radiate the ephemeral fragrance farther in hopes of capturing more pollinators’ attention. The slimmer pink back petals safely surrounded the flower before it furled forth. Now they reach outward, stretching as wide as they can to give the flower all the space it needs to fully expand.
It appears, from this photo, that there are three layers of pearly white petals, each eight petals around. The thinner pink petals also might be in groups of eight; it’s hard to tell. This means there are almost fifty petals on this one flower, along with a couple hundred anthers perched atop their filaments.
Yet all this extravagant beauty is at its prime for only a day. It blooms sometime during the night, and by midday it begins to wilt and fade in the harsh heat of the summer sun. I think of the lilies of the field, which Jesus describes as being “alive today and tomorrow are thrown into the oven” (Matthew 6:28–30).
The beauty is amazing—and so fleeting. That beauty is all around us, every day, taking an infinite multitude of forms. It’s not just flowers, either. Think about how each snowflake is unique, then melts within moments. We need an uncountable number of them to form a single snowball. As autumn approaches, I think of New England hillsides painted in bright colors as innumerable leaves release chlorophyll and let other shades shine forth.
With all this ephemeral and abundant beauty, how can we not give extravagant thanks to our Creator, every day, for the gift of life and the opportunity to witness such bounty?
Thank you for this beautiful post that invites us to s l o w down and notice. There are so many wonders to behold!
You’re welcome, Carol! I’m so glad it spoke to you.
Peace,
Shirin
Shirin
I have two Epiphyllum plants that bloom with this similar flower. One is white and called ‘Queen of the Night’ the other is is a fuchsia pink. When I lived in Silver City, the white one’s plant reached almost 7’ tall and had 25 blooms on it one night. They opened at 11:30 pm and we’re gone by 6 am. The fragrance was absolutely exquisite! I couldn’t stop photographing and video taking because I knew they’d be gone in the morning. I managed to bring some pieces here and am starting over again but it will never be that big. The plants themselves are actually unspectacular and kinda ugly. But those flowers …
I see Our Lord in so many things and places nowadays. Especially during my walks in the cemetery. And I generally pray during that whole 5 mile walk for all manner of gratitude, worship and of course, DOK requests.
BTW-I sent you an email.
Hi, Nila! I know the flowers you are describing and they are amazing. I’m so glad you got to see them in such glory—and yes, the plants, like sticks, are easy to miss because they are so unassuming…perhaps like many of us until we blossom! I’m so glad you see God in so many places and I will respond to your email.
Peace,
Shirin
I have this cactus and the blooms on my back patio. I didn’t know all this about the flower. Amazing! Now every time it blooms, I will look at it differently and in awe. Thank you. I love how you help us look at the beauty in all that God creates.
You’re welcome, Carol! I love how we help each other see the world differently, and more fully, and I’m glad to be part of that for you.
Peace,
Shirin
Dear Shirin. This is lovely. It reminds of the lines from William Blake about seeing heaven in a wildflower. There’s so much that is very wonderful in the world and it is a terrible loss to us to not stop from time to time to marvel and be grateful
Yes, Jen, there is so much we can miss by developing a type of tunnel vision. Thank you for reminding me of the Blake connection!
Peace,
Shirin
Blessings Shirin. Your post struck a beautiful thing inside my soul. In my retirement time I am becoming, through God’s Goodness and Grace, a more observant person. My habit is to move quickly through each day….however, I am taking more TIME to observe KINDNESS. Like this flower, moments of KINDNESS are here NOW and then, in less than a blink, GONE. Blessings abound as I seek them, and are made aware of God’s Presence. Amen.
Thank you. Shalom, Ray
Oh, Ray, I’m so glad for this unfolding that’s happening for you in these days. May this observant habit and awareness of kindness continue to grow in you and bring you many blessings.
Peace,
Shirin