From the moment she entered this world, my granddaughter Evelina Ayari has embodied a beautiful fusion of cultures, qualities, and meanings. Her name itself is a testament to her rich heritage, blending Biblical, Islamic, and cultural influences from Mexico, Europe, and Japan.
Evelina is not only a granddaughter but a guiding light, full of wisdom, creativity, and determination. As her grandfather, I have been privileged to witness her journey—a journey filled with love, strength, and the promise of an extraordinary future. This is her story, seen through my eyes.
Meet the Author
Leopoldo Gomez-Diaz is a seasoned writer from Mexico and a retired engineer with over 40 years of experience at the Mexican Petroleum Institute. He also spent several years teaching at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) before earning a master’s degree. Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in supporting decision-making processes in areas such as strategic and technological planning, economic studies, project evaluation, energy analysis, training, and marketing strategies.
Evelina Ayari is a name rich in beauty and meaning, deeply intertwined with cultural, religious, and personal significance. It reflects a blend of qualities, both external and internal, that are cherished and valued. The name Evelina Ayari carries with it the essence of Biblical origins, Islamic meanings, and influences from Mexican, European, and Japanese cultures.
The name Evelina is a combination of the Biblical name Eve, meaning “to live,” and Avelina, which signifies “power.” This elegant name encapsulates meanings such as “life,” “living one,” “source of life,” or “mother of life,” as well as “strength” or “small bird” from Avelina.
On the other hand, the name Ayari embodies the quest for wisdom and perfection, carrying meanings of peace, fragrance, and being cherished, rooted in Islam. Ayari is also a Mexican name from the Purépecha culture, meaning “flower of the forest” or “spring.” It is a name associated with someone who is a trailblazer, researcher, teacher, leader, motivator, creative, intuitive, magnetic, versatile, and an idealistic visionary, aware of her innate powers and showing others the way. In Japanese, Ayari represents blessings, favor, grace, wisdom, good judgment, and understanding. Her Zodiac sign, Pisces, is associated with qualities such as empathy, intuition, creativity, and sensitivity.
With such a name, Evelina Ayari was destined to be a unique, lovely, and remarkable individual—a daughter, sister, and granddaughter who helps and guides others. Her name encompasses a depth of significance and symbolism that reflects the richness of her heritage and holds a promise for her future.
It is a name to be proud of and one that she embodies beautifully. Evelina Ayari is my granddaughter, and she possesses all these attributes; she is a smart and lovely girl.
One of the main reasons I moved to California was Evelina Ayari. The transition to Campbell was a significant challenge and journey, but the timing felt right, especially with Evelina’s birth. Her arrival marked the beginning of several reasons that drew my wife and me toward Campbell. We recognized the importance of being present to support our grandchildren’s education, especially with our son fully occupied by his demanding job and our daughter-in-law pursuing her master’s degree.
The need for full-time childcare became clear, and after several invitations from our son to move to California, we decided it was time. We wanted to be a part of our grandchildren’s lives and actively contribute to their growth and development.
Evelina Ayari is special to me because our relationship has evolved into a cherished friendship that transcends familial ties. I have loved watching her grow and develop since she was a baby, observing how she has evolved through the various stages of her life, from a small child to now her 10th birthday. Her personality and character remind me so much of her father—charismatic, astute, smart, friendly, and very affectionate.
Even though she doesn’t enjoy exercise or walking, I treasure the time we share. I remember when we visited Croatia long ago, and we walked together through beautiful landscapes. It was hard work carrying her on the stroll, but my son and I did it, and we enjoyed every moment.
In essence, I believe my primary contributions to Evelina Ayari have been in non-academic activities, teaching her practical life lessons that extend beyond the classroom. For example, we enjoy playing the “What if…” game, imagining possible or unreal events and trying to find real-life solutions. I also enjoy talking with her, playing Dominoes, and visiting the IMAX theater at the San Jose Tech Museum by train.
With each passing year, Evelina Ayari’s spirit blossoms like the flowers of spring, filling our moments together with joy and inspiration. I remember one afternoon when she cooked dinner just for the two of us. I was taking care of her at her house, and she asked me, “Are you staying for dinner?” I replied, “Yes, if you’d like.” She then offered to cook pasta for me, set the table beautifully for two, asked if I wanted some wine, and left a small note beside my plate that said, “Espesialmente para Leopoldo,” with a drawn heart—misspelling and all. That note is something I keep close to my heart.
Evelina is always ready to embrace each day with boundless energy and determination. She brings me joy and hope and is often my companion. When she was little, she couldn’t pronounce my name correctly, so she called me “Popoldo.” Since then, it has become a nickname used by the family. As I reminisce about our shared moments and adventures, her contagious energy continues to motivate me.
Evelina has a wide range of skills—she’s excellent at reading body language, great with numbers, painting, and memorizing events, presentations, and songs. Her ability to read body language likely developed through her interactions with her brothers. She can quickly decipher their smiles, glances, and expressions, and often predicts their intentions.
I’ve seen this many times. Evelina challenges her brothers almost every day, for better or for worse, just as she has done since she was a small child. She’s also impressive with arithmetic; she has beaten me in Dominoes several times. She grasps concepts quickly, whether from documentaries on interplanetary movements, the life cycle of stars, or environmental topics. Like her mom, Ayari loves plants, which is also remarkable.
Evelina Ayari is a determined girl who often knows what she wants and goes after it with all her energy. She embodies the essence of empowerment and possibility, facing obstacles with courage and resilience. In many situations, she is so shy. Although, in some situations, she is very shy, her inner wisdom reflects a deep-rooted tenacity that drives her to pursue her whims, goals, and dreams. Evelina reminds me of my mother, Esperanza, in her loving nature, fighting spirit, wisdom, and determination.
Sometimes I think that Esperanza has been reborn in Ayari. She has the bold and intelligent spirit of a lion, willing to achieve her goals and share her success with those around her. As she grows and matures, Evelina leaves her mark on the hearts of those who know her, demonstrating the strength of her drive, enthusiasm, and determination.
Recently, Evelina has formed a close bond with Kaia, a labradoodle who has brought joy and relaxation to everyone at home. Kaia, always energetic and happy, has become a beloved member of the family. Everyone agrees that Kaia is the only one who’s always in a good mood.
In short, as her name suggests, Evelina Ayari was born to be unique and intense. Her qualities as an observer, her strong personality, and her leadership skills allow her to pursue any goal she sets for herself. She is capable of challenging any situation, no matter how difficult it may seem. She is as clever as a fox, strong as a lion, and determined like her father.
Yet, she can also be as sweet as a brownie when she’s in a good mood. She approaches everything she does with intensity, whether it’s an activity or a whim. Evelina can be a wild spirit yet as warm as a cup of hot chocolate. She is more than my granddaughter; she is my friend—an energetic, bold, and charismatic leader.
Read other article written by Leo at https://journals-times.com/2023/01/03/tequila-and-mezcal-theres-something-magical-about-these-two-ancient-drinks/
Evelina was born under a lucky star and is sure to contribute to important causes worth fighting for. She is a beacon of hope and inspiration, lighting the way with her radiant presence and courageous determination. Evelina Ayari’s vibrant personality is a captivating mix of intellect, talent, and warmth, with a touch of fiery spirit that I adore.She shines on the horizon like the star Sirius, illuminating my twilight.
With all my love,
Leopoldo, your grandpa.
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