01 October 2011

The Story of the Pink Bud


My sister Luchie planted this last July in the midst of the renovation work going around Heaven. She said it will creep around our fence and will produce magenta flowers that will look like a cross between Yellow Bells and Hibiscus flowers . . .
So I waited and watered.
I nagged everybody and everybeing to behave around it.
The leaves grew fast and tall and crept along the fence even with the dogs constant sniffing and their territorial 'marks'. Even with the construction workers rough handling. Even with the extreme weather changes. And finally on September 21 something did came out:
Several buds came out which left me excited . . .
And the buds grew fast and stood proudly among its peers in victory:
And in the midst of a cloudy day the flower opened:
. . . but kept her clear beauty for all to see. It is that magical moment for a clueless keeper who is constantly in awe of nature and its many surprises.

. . . greeting everybody passing by my Heaven which I hoped would help diminish whatever worries they have for the stormy week . . .
Yes we had a stormy week.
Storm Pedring lashed out winds and rains
which flooded several cities
and made a lot of people homeless
and destroyed crops and properties.
In Heaven, we have to secure the trees and remove all hanging and delicate plants out of harm's way, secure the dogs home with tarp covers to replace the flimsy curtains (yes the doghouses have curtains because my dogs prefer to nap in a dim place) . . . and in the midst of keeping everything safe and secure from the storm, when I looked to check, the pink flower was gone!
The wind blew it out of its place and it landed on the palm plants. But its unopened buds remain hanging on the stem. And on the other side of this plant was another bunch of buds surviving the strong winds, rains and sunless days (the storm was miles away from us but we felt the gusty winds!)
And not just one but two finally greeting the sun after a week of rains.
Flower stories inspire beauty and love. They evoke fond memories of people who are equally strong, persevering, trustful, loving and everything flowery and beautiful and great survivors. I am sure we all have stories like that stashed in our special memory bank . . . Many thanks to all flower lovers Maia and the TodaysFlowers team Luiz Santilli Jr., Laerte Pupo, Sandy Carlson and the english girl and my friend Denise. And for pink lover Beverly and Amy who loves to challenge us with color amidst monochrome. Thank you all for keeping me sane . . .
Macro Flowers Saturday badge 1
And for all grandparents and the senior citizens (notice I did not say 'elderly' because I met a lot of 'youthful' and energetic seniors, including my two senior sisters), September is dedicated to you all and all your loving and special memories.
We have two more typhoons coming our way this weekend. I pray and hope it will not create more damage to my battered island. Please include us in your prayers . . .
And in loving memory of Mamita Rosario
September 20, 1920 - September 18, 2010
one of my oldest students and a loving friend

UPDATED October 3! EG Wow identified this flower as a Mandevilla. Thanks EG!

22 comments:

Maia T said...

The flower of this vine us very beautiful, I'm glad you could take these photos and I hope you will have them after the weekend storms go by.

Hang in there, you are all in my prayers, humans, dogs and flowers.

Jama said...

Such a lovely flower! They are quiet common here in the parks but I just can't recall it's name, may have to search my books for that.

Kim, USA said...

Wow this flower is indeed very beautiful! I wonder what is the name of this flower. ^_^

My Pink Rose

pinkkandy said...

Well, here we are again..Thank God for another Pink Saturday to visit and see what you have been up to..Fall is keeping her distance around here..I am longing for some cool crisp weather....check out "My Sweet Prairie Home" and see what my daughter is up to!
God Bless You....
Kandy

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Lui!
It is so nice to meet you through Pink Saturday! This flower is beautiful. I will keep you in my prayers that you will be safe from the predicted typhoons.
Happy Pink Saturday!
Pat

poppilinnstudios said...

The flowers are beautiful! I hope you are safe during the coming weather!
-Lynn

Sivinden said...

Lovely pink flower:)

Tatjana Parkacheva said...

Very nice macro photos.

Regards and best wishes

The Artful Diva said...

Your patience paid off - the photo history of this flower bud is amazing!

Cheryl said...

What a beautiful post. Almost forgot to look at the flowers which are gorgeous. Keeping you in my heart as the storm season continues to batter your little world.

Joyful said...

Beautiful story and images.

Laura said...

beautiful blossoms...I'm so sorry about your loss...you have honored your friend in such a loving way with these photos.

DeniseinVA said...

All so very beautiful Lui and Luiz asked me to let you know he has posted your photos on the home page today. They are also very, very beautiful! Thank you so much my friend and have a great week.

EG CameraGirl said...

The mandevilla is very pretty. I have a red one growing in a pot that I will have to take in over the winter.

Maria said...

The pictures of the pink flowers are really beautiful! I hope you are safe during the storms! Best regards from Vienna.

SquirrelQueen said...

What a beautiful flower. It looks so delicate but it has to be very hardy to have survived the storms.

You will be in my thoughts and prayers at the other storms approach. Keep safe.

Carver said...

The pink bud and flowers are so beautiful. Also love your flowers on the home page of today's flowers. I'm sending out good thoughts and prayers for you island. I'm so sorry about the typhoon.

Míriam Luiza said...

Que lindas fotos. Gostei muito da última foto, onde você destacou a cor suave da flor!

Unknown said...

Very pretty flowers! Praying for your safety as the storms roll through!

Viola said...

How lovely they are the flowers! :) Oh my friend, it's stormy in your surroundings! First I thought it was the dogs' curtains that swifted away, pink curtain! Now well, it was the flower.. Sad enough! I hope you'll get rid of the bad weather and I hope you'll have some nice weather!

Take care my friends, you are in my prayers! :)

Hugs and kisses from Viola and Pusa! :)

CailinMarie said...

wow! lovely flowers! and a lovely post too. I hope you are all okay with this weather you say is headed in your direction. be safe!!!

Lisa Gordon said...

This is an absolutely magnificent flower Lui!
The color is so very beautiful.