Velvet flower o Celosia argenteagarde

Nature always shows us how wonderful it is. Its colors and the way it manifests itself are a divine gift, and it also nourishes faith in everything we believe is impossible. On my morning walks outdoors, I always find gifts. I've passed by this place many times; I hadn't realized where this plant was born.

Its name is Flor aterciopelada (Velvet Flower) or Celosia argenteagarde (Silvery Celosia). In my mind and experience, or its popular name here in Venezuela, we call it tulip. However, if we do a little research, the name "tulip" doesn't match the flowers we've searched for online.

I've always considered this plant to be very delicate in its blooms. When you touch them, the softness of the flower can be felt between your fingers. Its shape is different from others, and its color is intense. I think it only occurs in this color. Sometimes I feel it's underappreciated despite its beauty. It's often found on sidewalks or in some homes where it's been grown.

It caught my attention because of where it grew and remains. Although it looks delicate, it's strong. Its location gives it very strong sunlight. It grew on the trunk of a tree that was felled, and in the center of the trunk, its stem can be seen from within.

I realized it doesn't require much care; just the sun and the rain that fall on the trunk keep it green and full of its velvety flowers. The strong breezes we've been feeling lately don't knock it down.

Perhaps the passing of distracted people who often pass by that sidewalk don't even stop to look at it, just as it happened to me, until one morning it called my attention, asking me to observe it, there where it was born and continues to give the beauty of its flowers to those who, like me at that moment, stopped to examine where it had grown, as always, to give thanks for this beauty and accept it as a gift from the Creator.

This is the fortune of going out for a walk and observing what surrounds us. How many things we discover, how many gifts they give us each day. We must be attentive and enjoy each daily gift, be more observant and pause, never letting our thoughts distract us from what we can find.