Night-blooming Cereus

I so look forward to the budding and blooming of this glorious flower. This is the only bloom we have had in well over a year. Each time I spot the tiny bud I watch its progress as it emerges from a random spot on a leaf, grow to an almost foot-long stem and bud that curves like a flamingo, and blooms in all its silent and fragrant glory for about 12 hours, when the scent disappears, and the blossom lies limp and spent.