In Memoriam of Ayesha: A Different Kind of Transformation Story

This desk is the desk of Ayesha. She was my office roommate. A year ago today, she passed away.

I'd only been with the company for two months then, but there were emails buzzing around. She'd been working with the company and the project we were on for 15 years. If anyone knew anything about our system, it was her. She was deeply missed by everyone. The halls were so quiet and subdued.

I felt compelled to say something, so I sent an email into the chain of mourners.

I posted an edited version of my eulogy to my Facebook. I've always believed that keeping the memory of someone alive keeps them from truly dying.

I did a lot of research on the plants. I Asked my friends, and many chimed in on Facebook about how to care for them and what they are. I forget their proper names, but I recall that the one of the left is commonly known as a "Money Plant," which, if taken care of, brings wealth to you (take that, money cat posts!). The one on the right is known in some Hispanic cultures as "Mala Madre" -- Bad mother. It grows sprouts out of itself, like a mother kicking her children out of the nest.

And so I began my mission. Two days after Ayesha died, I gave a Mala Madre sprout to my coworker. I kept one for myself, and kept it on my desk.

Eventually, I got pots and soil. I didn't just take care of Ayesha's plants; I wanted them to thrive and be vibrant, the way she was. That middle Mala Madre is the plant that was in my mug in the previous pic after only a couple of months.

The original Mala Madre kept growing children, and some I had to get rid of, some other coworkers took one. This is the one I kept for myself. It's in my apartment now. It doesn't grow as strong and as sure, mainly because it doesn't get the sunlight the others get, but it's doing well enough on its own.

This is an artsy-fartsy shot of the second generation of Mala Madre's. Good soil, good roots, plenty of water... The leaves are so beautiful.

This is the gang today. The one in the center is the prime Mala Madre. It's grown so big that even though I repotted it a couple months ago, I might have to give it bigger digs in the spring. You can see she's still giving more children, even in the cold winters. My office roommate tells me that I could have been a botanist.

But where's the Money Plant, you ask?

It's sitting atop our office bookshelf, throwing and growing. Since then, I was given a bonus, an a raise. I guess they do bring wealth to you. The vine on the left grew onto Ayesha's desk (now mine), and I had to trim it down...

... Into this. One of my coworkers wanted in on some of the Money Plant action, so once the root system grows a little more, I'm gonna pot it for him.

Thanks for reading this far. Rest in Peace, Ayesha. I'm still keeping my promise.

PS: Fuck Cancer.

FP Edit: No boobs, no dicks, just remember Ayesha was a talented developer, a loving mother and wife, and a funny, genuine person.