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Shmouni… Made By Moun!
At the bustling 5K Jingle Jog at Gateway Church, I met a woman whose name instantly caught my attention: Shmouni, pronounced Shmoo-nee. She smiled as she explained that her name came from ancient Assyria, a region that now overlaps parts of Turkey, Iraq, and Syria. Its meaning—“God has heard”—seemed to delight her, especially because, as she put it with a laugh, “God probably hears me just fine; I’ve got a loud voice!” With that blend of humor, heritage, and personality, she
David… Man on a Mission From God
David came to the United States from Uganda for the very first time with one purpose in mind: to learn how to better help his people. He was attending a special conference that focused on growing crops, improving irrigation, and finding ways for families in poverty to provide for themselves. Even before he spoke, you could sense his determination. Traveling across the world is difficult for anyone, but for David, it was especially challenging. He needs regular dialysis and ha
Steven Pym… Drag racing Champion!
Recently, I picked up three wonderful passengers in Naples—Steven, his friend Heather, and her daughter Ella—and the ride to Fort Myers turned out to be far more interesting than I expected. While none of their names stood out as unusual, Steven had an interesting background that definitely caught my attention. A friendly and humble man, he carried a surprising claim to fame: he was once a professional drag racing champion! Born and raised in Canada, he eventually made his wa
Donorris… More Than Meets the Eye!
When I picked up a passenger named Donorris, I knew right away this ride would be different. His name was one I had never heard before, and he admitted he wasn’t even sure where it came from. Maybe it was a mix of “donor,” someone who gives, or “Norris,” meaning “from the north.” It may have derived from “Doris,” which means “gift” or “bounty”. Whatever the origin, the name fit him well—because Donorris seemed to have a giving heart. Born and raised in Fort Myers, he attended
Jerson… From Columbia to Cape Coral and Beyond!
When I first met Jerson during a recent Uber trip, I had never heard his name before. He explained that it is a more common name in South America. It turns out his mom chose it after a popular soccer player back in Colombia. Jerson grew up loving the sport just like many football enthusiasts in Columbia. He spent hours racing after the ball and developing his skills with his friends and teammates. Life took an unexpected turn, though, when he moved to the United States at sev
Chrish… A New Beat in a New Land!
Recently, I picked up a passenger with a unique name that immediately caught my attention… Chrish, inspired by the word, Christian or the name, Christian Dior. Upon seeing me, she ran toward the car like a woman on a mission. She was excited to join some friends for a fun evening together! Chrish was born in Cuba, but five years ago she moved to the United States with her father and younger sister. At first, everything felt strange: the language, the culture, even the weathe
Kingnara… A Name For the Noble!
Kingnara has one of the most fascinating names I’ve ever heard. Although she was uncertain of its origins, she thought it was an African name. After some research of my own, it seems that her unique name might have its origins in the country of India and is connected with graceful and creative dancing. Regardless of its origin, she definitely has an amazing and noble name! Kingnara grew up in the Chicago area, where she lived and worked in the airline business for many years.
Jordan and Tatanka… Buffalo Blessings!
Jordan’s name, which in Hebrew means “flowing down,” seems almost prophetic for the way grace and purpose stream through her life. I met her on an ordinary morning at a yard sale in Fort Myers, but the moment she began sharing her story, it felt as though I had stumbled onto something extraordinary. She is part of a close-knit family with two sisters and a brother whose early passing forever shaped their lives. Home educated and raised across the country—from Washington state
Takayla… From Sketches to Scrubs!
Recently I picked up a friendly, outgoing passenger named Takayla. (Tah-KAY-la) Her creative mother had wanted a name similar to Makayla or Kayla, but with its own twist. Takayla is definitely a unique derivative and a name that sets her apart! Takayla was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but moved with her family to Punta Gorda about seven years ago. While attending high school, she developed a passion for drawing and art. Over time, with both practice and patience, she developed t
Bishal and Poonam… An Inspiring Journey From Nepal to SW Florida!
Bishal and Poonam both grew up in the mountain country of Nepal. Twenty years ago, after Bishal trained as a physician and married Poonam, they moved to the United States seeking greater opportunities and adventures. They first landed in Cincinnati, Ohio but they didn’t stay still for long—after a few moves and new work opportunities, they eventually found their way to sunny Southwest Florida. They have lived in the area for ten years. Bishal, whose name amusingly means “larg
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