The author and her son embarked on an unforgettable trip to Brazil, driven by a desire to delve into the history behind her unique name. The journey was not just a geographical one, but a deep dive into personal identity and cultural roots.

Throughout her life, the author has faced challenges with the pronunciation of her name, which her parents had carefully spelled out phonetically. Despite their efforts, many people frequently mispronounce it, adding unintended syllables and letters, transforming 'Sheeka' into variations like 'Sheneka,' 'Shereka,' or 'Shakeeya.' Undeterred, she patiently corrects others, insisting it should be pronounced as 'SHEE-kuh.' Her affection for her name remains steadfast, as she understands the rich history that accompanies it, which ultimately led her on an adventurous journey to Brazil.

The roots of her name trace back to a movie that her parents watched while she was still in her mother's womb. Set in a small indie movie theater in Tucson, Arizona, they were captivated by a Brazilian film titled Xica da Silva, a historical comedic drama featuring the talented actress Zez Motta in the leading role. The couple was so taken by the character that they decided to name their daughter after her, Americanizing the spelling to facilitate pronunciation. Little did they know, this would not fully resolve the issue of mispronunciations.

As the author matured, her curiosity about the origins of her name intensified. Her research unveiled a wider narrative surrounding the film, including a popular telenovela inspired by it that aired in the 1990s, which gained massive popularity across Latin America. Moreover, she discovered that the character Xica da Silva was based on a real historical figure, Chica, who lived in 18th-century Brazil. This revelation propelled her into deeper research about Chica da Silva's fascinating life.

Chica was born into slavery in the early 1700s in Milho Verde, Brazil. Her life took a dramatic turn when a Portuguese diamond contractor purchased her. Unusually, he manumitted her within months, allowing her to gain freedom and access to a life of power and wealth that was uncommon for women of her time. She bore several children with her manumitter, and her life story became an emblematic tale of resilience and social ascent in colonial Brazil.

When the author discovered that Chica da Silva's former home had been transformed into a museum dedicated to her legacy in Diamantina, Brazil, she felt a compelling urge to visit. This was not only a pilgrimage to honor her namesake but also an opportunity to connect personally with a significant part of her heritage.

The journey to Diamantina was an adventure in itself. The author and her son flew from Atlanta to Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and then embarked on a four-hour drive through the stunning landscapes of the Chapada Diamantina mountains. The picturesque vistas were accompanied by the fatigue of navigating unfamiliar roads in a rental car, particularly one with a manual transmission. Upon arriving in Diamantina, the author was eager but exhausted, with only a short window of time to visit the museum before it closed for the weekend.

Rushing along the stone-paved streets, she finally reached the museum's entrance, where she excitedly announced to the staff that she bore the name of the very woman whose home they were preserving. This personal connection added depth to her visit, as she felt the weight of history and identity intertwining in that moment.

After exploring the various exhibits that highlighted the town's rich history of diamond mining and Chica da Silva's enduring influence on Brazilian folklore, the author ventured into the museum's back courtyard. It was here that she met an unexpected guide, a staff gardener named John Lennon, who offered to show her something beyond the standard tour.

The spontaneous garden tour turned into a delightful experience as they wandered along a stone path, sampling fresh oranges, mint leaves, and sugar cane cut straight from the stalk. For an avid plant lover, this moment felt almost surreal, as if Chica da Silva herself was rewarding the author for her dedication to learning about her legacy.

The coincidence of meeting someone named John Lennon in such a vibrant setting added a whimsical twist to the day's events. The author reflected on the serendipity of her discovery that day, wishing for the Brazilian John Lennon to have the opportunity to visit Liverpool, the birthplace of the iconic musician for whom he was named. Such a journey, she mused, would undoubtedly be transformative, just as her own had been.