Flower Lover

Picking flowers from the garden and putting them in a vase is already a luxury to me.

They say, flowers are luxury. But for me, flowers are not only for the luxurious and the rich. Having a simple life, picking flowers from the garden and putting them in a vase is already a luxury to me. In the Philippines, flowers are expensive. I only see flowers in front of churches. We don’t even have a vase with flowers on it at home. Yes, back then it was only a luxury. But I have been fond of taking care of plants since childhood. In order for me to have plants, I go around our neighbors who have plants and ask for something I can plant. Since we don't have a garden, I grow them in milk cans. It's funny. Now that I'm here in the Netherlands, they are among my favorite things, the garden, the plants and flowers in the garden, and in summer, a riot of colors when plants are in it’s full bloom. It is said that there are 400,000 species of flowering plants in the world. Some of them only grow in suitable climates. 

The Netherlands is considered as the Silicon Valley of flower industry.

The Netherlands grows 7.1 billion euros worth of plants and flowers every year. It represents 60% of global trade, making the Netherlands the Silicon Valley of the flower industry. When I was young, I liked flowers because they were cute, sweet to the eyes. Just eye candy. Now that I'm older, the meaning of flowers in my life became different. It became deep, a reflection of my being. There are times that flowers are like my friends too. I am a homebody, most of the times in solitude, and their bright presence brighten my day. It calms me down to see the flowers, when I think that they are happy that I am also happy that they are with me, it add some more meaning to my life. But most of all, flowers remind me of how wonderful the Creator is. It takes a good artist to paint a beautiful flower. It especially takes a powerful and wise creator to grow even one red flower. In my heart, I can feel my closeness to God when I look at the flowers. Just like how I feel when I look up at the clouds and it's like I see God smiling at me.

It especially takes a powerful and wise creator to grow even one red flower.

I don't like artificial or plastic flowers. Newly picked flowers have a different effect on human emotions. Freshly cut flowers relieve stress, you will feel more human with kindness and compassion. No matter where we are in the world, flowers have a universal appeal. They are never boring, the value never fades. When I go to the supermarket and come home with a bunch of flowers, my heart overflows with joy, here in my little world where I can enjoy so many flowers. If before I used to take care of them in a milk can, now I have a little garden, my little paradise. No matter where you put the flower, in the pot, in the vase, or in your hair, it improves your mood, it beautify the holder or the bearer. There are three things why make I am a flower lover. First, they are worthy to be admired because they are so beautiful in nature. Second, the flowers have a good emotional and psychological effect, they calm me, they can be my company, they are like my friends too. And the third, I see in them the wise and wonderful God I worship. Till next time.