Michelle's story really spoke to me. My family also comes from a long line of displacement and cultural brutality. The most important thing I've learned about my heritage is that the place doesn't matter nearly as much as the people and the stories they pass along. This story of bravery and survival will live on forever in this family and inspire future generations. 

The design is made up of many small parts, much like the people of Palestine who represent their culture wherever they are. The lighthouse at the top of this traditional Palestinian orange blossom pattern represents the skyline of Jaffa and the hope that its people will one day find their way home. The anchor at the bottom also represents the port city and the solidarity of the Palestinian people. The vine represents ancestry and is made up of the colors of the Palestinian flag.

- Melanie Giveins, Artist