Naji Means Survivor

It started with a woman.....isn't that a great first line? Well, it did. I was cooking brownies alongside my mom when a woman walked into the "community kitchen" (the kitchen shared by all the people staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor.)  She quietly began cooking her eggs and then cooked something else. My mom and I were first drawn to the smell of it. It wasn't a bad smell, it was a unique one, one that lingered and left the air almost tangy. We glanced at it a few times but could not make out what it was. So, of course, we decided to just ask instead of let our minds wander. The woman explained that it was a type of Mediterranean cheese called Halloumi Cheese. She even let us try a bite and we are hooked! So maybe it started with cheese? Who knows....

After experimenting this woman's unique cheese we soon began to talk to her as we waited for our brownies to bake. We talked of our family members in the hospital, their heart conditions, how they were doing, how amazing the hospital is, how awesome the doctors are and about many other medical things. She then mentioned that because of her nephews heart defect her sister and her decided to move to America. Oh yeah, did I mention she lived in Jerusalem? She told of their decision, and a little about what Jerusalem was like. Through little twists and turns throughout our conversation we found out that she was a Catholic among Jews in her homeland.

She had a quiet strength about her, one that kept you wondering what she was like on a daily basis. She was joyful and full of spirit. She had both kindness and mischief. She was a loving soul and it was a pleasure to meet her, if only for a little bit. The whole conversation was very awesome, but something she said at the end stuck out the most to me. She told my mother and I this story.

"My nephews name is Naji. N-A-J-I. Translated it means "survivor." My sister did not know about his heart defect when he was born. He was given that name as is tradition. The first born son is to be named after his grandfather. In his case his grandfathers name was Naji."

I was fascinated and amazed by this, their journey and the story of this 12 year old boy. Survivor is a perfect name, not just for him but for his entire family. That lady showed me true strength through her families story. It was full of hope, love, sacrifice and surviving. Please join me in praying for Naji.

Naji means survivor.