Friends create living tribute for Mariam Abdulrab

A tiny seed planted two short years ago now filters light in Piedmont Park through a living memorial tree.
“When we first saw it, it was so small, but it’s really grown a lot,” Mariam’s best friend, Arin Hossain, said.
Deep roots intertwine, supplying strength and support. It’s a fitting homage to six strangers, who grew into one family.
Mariam Abdulrab impacted Hossain’s life “in every way possible,” she said. “I met Mariam in seventh grade homeroom class.”
“We met in art class, I think 10th grade,” Elisha Kim said, while Garrett Sabb met her “in our science class.”
“I met Mariam 17 years ago, middle school,” Emily Kim said. “It was freshman year. We decided to get together for a school project. I would go over to her house, and then week after week, I was always there. Ever since then, we did sleepovers, just learning together, growing together.”
“One of my best memories was when all the girls came together and we had a picnic,” Genie Pacheco said. “Mariam was the life of the party.”
“One of the last trips me and Mariam took together, we went to Mexico and Tulum,” Hossain said. “We went to dinner, and we rode bikes there. But the memory of us riding bikes back was the most amazing thing because we were acting like we were ten years old again. Just laughing, giggling, all the things.”
When asked how they would describe Abdulrab in three words, Elisha Kim said, “loving, caring and giving.”
“She was selfless, generous and a kindred spirit,” Pacheco added.
“Loving, compassionate, loud,” Hossain laughed. “She’s very loud.”
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