Janna

I have a Janna plant. The scientific name of the plant is unknown to me. All I know is that I have a very special plant named Janna.

Janna the plant was given to me by one of my favorite patients. It’s no coincidence that her name was Janna, too. Janna was one of the bravest, most resilient, formidable women I’ve ever met. She had an irreverent sense of humor I adored, and a no bs approach to life I respected. She was the perfect combination of nerves of steel and a heart of gold (with a dash of sass for good measure).

The last time I visited Janna, she proudly led me to her sunroom to meet her impressive botany collection. Some plants reached the ceiling, others cascaded to the floor. All of them were healthy and strong and thriving – the irony was heartbreaking.

As we prepared to say our goodbyes, Janna gave me the treasured gift of a start from one of her plants. Let me just say, she was risking a lot by trusting I could keep Janna the plant alive and well. I was equal parts honored and terrified.

Janna has been gone almost seven years; I think of her often. I’m proud to say, Janna the plant has flourished during that time from a 3” plastic container on the kitchen windowsill to her beautiful new home in a red, 3’ tall ceramic planter that adorns my living room.

That tricky Janna knew just what she was doing when she gave me a gift that reminds me of her on the daily – like I would have ever forgotten one of my favorite patients.