Ce n’est qu’un au revoir, Antonio!
Bambi does not have words to describe her dad to you, dear readers.
Some of you have met him in person in Lebanon. Others in Canada or maybe elsewhere. Whether in Beirut, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Sackville, or elsewhere, Antoine (or Tony) has touched your/our lives in so many ways that can be summarize in the most beautiful word in the world: LOVE.
Antoine was filled with love. He was love. Our hearts ache and we will forever remember him with love. He loved life. He loved his late wife so much. Same for his children, grandchildren and great grandson. He loved his beloved nurses (Khoder and Samer). He loved his larger family, friends, clients, neighbours, parishioners, his two countries Lebanon as well as Canada, life, peace, and God. He inspired so many of us throughout his life journey.
Love, humanity, generosity, compassion, courage, honesty, resilience, intelligence, agency, entrepreneurial agency, critical thinking, open-mindedness, modesty, humour, and so MUCH more! These are some of the greatest values and skills of Antoine Azar. A beautiful soul. A loving soul. You might think that Bambi is a bit biased as he is her hero of a dad. Wait to hear Louis’ words about his father-in-law. He has always said the following to describe him: “Antoine is what makes our civilization continue“. Her cousins all say that he is a source of inspiration to them, a hero with all what he went through in life with dignity, courage, and a pure heart (like a child). Even if he is unique and surely only human (ie., imperfect like all of us), we need more of Antoine in all of us in our troubled world.
Love does not die, even if we are all going to do so. As written in your obituary, papy/baba habibi: “El Massih Kam, Hakan Kam” [Christ is risen, truly risen]. DEEP sorrow mixed with inner peace , hope (Espérance in French), and happiness for you to be with mom and to watch all of us from heaven while hanging out with your beloved Jesus. How meaningful it is to die on Palm Sunday, just ahead of Easter. Talking about Easter, may the Lebanon you now left for good see its graduation from wars and its own resurrection soon. May love prevail in all the hearts. Only then, peace can find its way among people and nations.
To come back to grief, it is hard to find words to express all the mixed emotions in Bambi’s mind. If peace is the strongest of all, despite her deep sadness, it is because of her dad’s big heart. During her last trip in Beirut a few months ago, he told her: “When I die, do not be sad your sisters and you and keep on loving each other“. Is there anything more beautiful than these words?
To conclude, if you wish to read more about Antoine Azar, you can consult an older post (shared at the end of this post). Bambi will end now by extending her heartfelt condolences to all her family in Lebanon, Dubai, Qatar, Australia, Germany, and Canada. Did she forget any other place? Please forgive her, if so. She sends hugs to each of her larger family members and family friends and relatives around the world. Last but not least, the biggest hug of both condolences and DEEP gratitude goes to Khoder and Samer. Blessings to you and much love. She wishes she could be with you Roula, Rania (sisters), Gladson and Rabih (brother-in-laws), Samer, Khoder, and all of you tomorrow, dear family and friends. Trust that she will be present in her heart while joining her prayers to yours. Be safe everyone, please. Take good care, today more than ever.
May your memory be eternal, papy habibi… Say hi to mom, please. THANK you for ALL!
Thank you Roula for having shared it a few months ago.
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البقاء لله. الله يرحمه ويغفر له ويجعل مثواه الجنه ويلطف بكم ويصبركم ويجعل ذكراه خالده في قلوبنا
My deepest condolences, I feel grateful to have known Antoine. My thoughts are with you and your family.