Long Forgotten by Ruben Serrano
I have a houseplant, an Elephant-Ear Philodendrum named Dumbo, that is 35 years old. Through all these years I could do no wrong with regard to Dumbo's care. But in the last month he has lost numerous stems and leaves and looks weakly. I have one stem rooting, just in case. He needs a new pot and soon. I keep deferring it because the last time I looked for a clay pot large enough for Dumbo I struck out at all sources. If I had to resort to a plastic container I'm afraid the toxins would kill him, but I may need to try that avenue. In any case, when an old friend is in need of attention -- the way Dumbo is now needing my care -- deferred maintenance just isn't in the cards. And, face it, deferred maintenance is just a sloppy form of negligence. Dumbo deserves better. So do our houses, cars, clothes, jobs, and relationships (including our relationship with our Self).
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