Najibe

Named after my maternal grandmother’s sister, Najibe is the kind of teta everyone seems to have known. Always caring for others, happiest in the kitchen when she is cooking for those she loves, when you call her to tell her you are coming. There is always something warm waiting, and a big curiosity for every bit of family
gossip and news. Generous and funny, she is always craving lemon ice cream, never arrives empty-handed, and always insists you eat more, somehow never quite believing you when you say you can’t. She takes one look at you and notices everything, whether you asked for her opinion or not. So easy to make
her angry and that’s the funny part for you! Stubborn in her own way, she refuses to have WhatsApp, preferring to take her own photos on her very old phone.
A presence that feels like home.

I am used to call her Najo with my grandmother Nazo, they were the amar and Chamess together, the perfect duo and I Remember one end of summer, I couldn’t come to Lebanon in the traditional July-August so I came just only one week in September in Lebanon and all I did was staying in Mehmarch in my mom village with My grandmother Nazo and Najo because it was heaven. Sun, their laughs, good food, and dolce vita à la libanaise. Hearing Najibe remind me that I will burn my skin and
waking up every morning with the Fairuz songs sung by Nazo. Today, only my Amar
is physically here, and that’s why I am giving her the name of one of the best ZZ in Lebanon. She is from Zgharta.