In late 1956 early 1957, Elias Makhoul was walking down the main street of Derdghaya when he encountered my grandfather Najib Boulos and another man possibly Eid Raad. He asked the men to go to a certain place where he owned land and dig his grave by the road; the men were startled at such a request and enquired why. Elias Makhoul replied he is getting his affairs in order as he would be dying tomorrow.
Elias Makhoul left the men to their task and kept walking along the road as he was on his way to Neffakiye to collect money from a man that had borrowed a sum from him. Elias Makhoul was quite well off as he had spent a few years in America working and once he came back to Lebanon he was also quite successful in business. Later in life he lent money to people at interest.
Once he got to Neffakiye he was unable to obtain the money so went on his way to Maaroub where another man owed him money. He was also unsuccessful here as well and returned to Derdghaya.
On his return to Derdghaya he was approached by my grandfather and told that the spot he had chosen was not desirable as anyone passing by on the road could stop and urinate on his grave as they passed. He informed my grandfather of another spot to dig the grave and that when he was finished to come to his house.
Later Elias Makhoul gathered his family around him, his wife Nasra (Nifaji) had already passed by this time. My grandfather attended Elias Makhoul’s house where he was paid a sum of money for his work. Elias Makhoul gave directions to his children of what he wanted done and who they still had to collect money from.
After giving his children his directions he sat back on his lounge looked up and seen two doves flying towards him. He started saying “Ijit Nifaji, Ijit Nifaji” (translated Nifaji is here, Nifaji is here). As the doves reached the house his voice lowered still saying “Ijit Nifaji” the doves reached the house and he went peacefully to be with his beloved Nifaji.
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