My family is a very traditional Chinese family. As a result, they are very cautious in giving a child a name. They want to make sure that the name carries the expectation on how the child would grow up to be.
Growing up, I liked neither my Indonesian nor Chinese name. My friends made fun of my Indonesian name because it sounds like stir-fry when shortened. My Chinese friends made fun of my Chinese name because they claimed it is a boy's name and uses a very ancient Chinese word.
I was born during a total solar eclipse. It was very dark when the solar eclipse was happening. It was believed the totality went on for about 5 minutes and 9 seconds. In the midst of that totality, I was born. Scientists believe that radiation from the sun could cause serious damage to the eyes even could lead into blindness. Thus, special eye protection is highly needed during this rare yet harmful event. The scientists also believe that the radiation imposes greater harm on children whose eyes are still developing such as babies.
The doctor who handled my birth was very careful about it. Even though I was born inside a mini hospital in my hometown, the hospital was not at its best condition. Thus, we could find windows that were not well covered in the delivery room and exposed to the radiation. For safety, the doctor hid me under the bed right after I was out of my mom's womb to avoid the radiation from the sun. Initially, my dad wanted to name me Gerhana (English: Eclipse). But my mom insisted that I should be named Cahyani (English: Light). Her hope was so that I can bring light into darkness. And that's how my Indonesian name was decided.
Growing up, I liked neither my Indonesian nor Chinese name. My friends made fun of my Indonesian name because it sounds like stir-fry when shortened. My Chinese friends made fun of my Chinese name because they claimed it is a boy's name and uses a very ancient Chinese word.
I was born during a total solar eclipse. It was very dark when the solar eclipse was happening. It was believed the totality went on for about 5 minutes and 9 seconds. In the midst of that totality, I was born. Scientists believe that radiation from the sun could cause serious damage to the eyes even could lead into blindness. Thus, special eye protection is highly needed during this rare yet harmful event. The scientists also believe that the radiation imposes greater harm on children whose eyes are still developing such as babies.
The doctor who handled my birth was very careful about it. Even though I was born inside a mini hospital in my hometown, the hospital was not at its best condition. Thus, we could find windows that were not well covered in the delivery room and exposed to the radiation. For safety, the doctor hid me under the bed right after I was out of my mom's womb to avoid the radiation from the sun. Initially, my dad wanted to name me Gerhana (English: Eclipse). But my mom insisted that I should be named Cahyani (English: Light). Her hope was so that I can bring light into darkness. And that's how my Indonesian name was decided.
A picture of the Total Solar Eclipse taken during my birth
(Photo is property of Daniel Fischer & Miloslav Drunkmüller)
My Chinese name is 林秉梢 (Lin Bing Shao). 秉 means to hold or to maintain. 梢 means the tip of the branch. I had always found my name to have a very weird meaning. I just didn't get the meaning of it. My parents also had no idea about the meaning because it was my dad's oldest brother who gave me the name. It was not until 3 days ago when I visited my Chinese friends (Lucy Li, Marty Min, and Baby Abigail) at their apartment that I found out what the practical meaning of my Chinese name. They said that the tip of the branch is the source of regeneration. It is from the branch that a tree will multiply. So they concluded that my name means that I am the one who will maintain the inheritance or regeneration in my family. I found that meaning to be very deep. I still don't know how it will transfer into my life. But my prayer is that the regeneration is the salvation. I hope God can continue to use me to bring each of my family member into salvation -- a born-again life. I know He will not stop what He has started in October 2007 when my mom received her salvation. One by one God will lead my family to Him.
As I get older, I like my names more and more. They definitely come with great responsibilities. But I am very honored to be alive and to carry my names.
May this be a blessing to you!
2 comments:
I found this blog too! Yanny, thanks for being such a sweet blessing... despite the distance :)
Yossi ... and the distance will continue to grow!! :-( But you will forever be my cheerful Yossi!!!
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