It is with much sadness that Bambi quickly read the news of Canada, mainly of Québec, and learned about the following: arguments resulting in insults, injuries, and arrest at Concordia University (https://tinyurl.com/46cm67ph). Most significantly (as it is about criminality), she read about shooting at two Jewish schools, as well as vandalism of a synagogue, and a Jewish centre (https://tinyurl.com/bdevu9tv).
Can someone tell Bambi how could these fellow Canadians of Jewish heritage be responsible for the violence in another continent? Why are we harassing and scaring them? Why are we conflating? Of course, Bambi would have said the exact same thing had the targets been of Arab origins.
To conclude this brief post, Bambi will leave you and leave herself with a song by the late French singer, Mr. Daniel Lévi,entitled L’Envie d’aimer [the Desire to Love]. Why is it that complicated to believe in love, like the beautiful lyrics of the song? Why can’t we spread love around us in our daily lives, especially in times of much darkness in our world? Why can’t we try to listen to each other and learn from each other? Together, we may come to new opinions or imagine a better future? Why should we resort to unacceptable violence just because we are upset about this or that conflict around the world?
Mr. Yves Montand was born on October 13, 1921. He took his last breath on November 9, 1991. He had such a beautiful voice, which was discovered by Ms. Edith Piaf (https://tinyurl.com/58wcunh4). May his memory be eternal. May this post know how to honour his legacy with a few of his songs, along with warm regards to each one of you.
There are some days where we do not feel like thinking or even writing about anything. We surely do not feel like reading the news about the world, namely its doomed Middle East, which is currently filled with blood, tears, and fear. So, how about singing hymns for peace instead?
The Bird and the Child is a hymn to peace, which Bambi, adores. She was 5-year-old when this beautiful song was written by Mr. Joe Gracy. Its lovely music was composed by Mr. Jean-Paul Cara. The song made France win the Eurovision Song Contest in London, UK, thanks to the great performance of Ms. Marie Myriam (aged only 19 back then; https://tinyurl.com/bdxp7z48).
The French lyrics describe a young girl who lives in a country of war and misery. Despite this, just the sight of a bird made her dream that the latter and herself could change the world and make it more peaceful (https://tinyurl.com/bdxp7z48). Yes, she dares to imagine living in a country of love. From the point of view of the bird, the world is filled with beauty, not just human cruelty. Later, this hymn for peace became the musical symbol of the Children’s Rights League (https://tinyurl.com/bdxp7z48).
It is Bambi’s hope that the children of the entire world, including ALL those of the Middle East, will live in safety, dignity, peace, prosperity, and especially LOVE. They deserve a safe and loving world 💚. Their parents as well 💚.
Bambi sends her love to you “Mama”, across the skies. She does the same to her courageous dad as well as sisters et al., across the miles. There is not a single day that goes by where your presence is not strongly felt within her heart and mind. Please mom, be well wherever you are and watch over your family as well as your birth country, just like angels would do. We all miss you, not just on your birthday.
A picture taken by Bambi flying over Canada and the Atlantic Ocean on August 23rd to attend her nephew’s wedding in Athens (hello Michael & Stéphanie ❤️) … This same day turned out to be the last one of her mom’s life on earth. Her stoic and loving dad kept the news to himself for three days to allow the wedding to proceed…
A picture taken by Bambi on August 23, 2023 on her way to Europe.
There is something ironic with dates sometimes. Robine’s framed picture above was taken at the wedding of Bambi’s childhood friend with her dear spouse (Bambi was not present there, but her family in Beirut attended it and celebrated their love with them). It is on the birthday of her best friend that both Robine and her mother-in-law left our world to be in heaven. May their souls keep resting in peace and may their respective memory be eternal. Much love to Bambi’s friends (et al.) and may our connection in love as well as faith transcend death.
“Love is greater than death. In the time that links the sky and earth, the most beautiful mystery is hidden. Think of it when you close your eyes to sleep: Love is greater than death” (Françoise Hardy). Bookmarks of Robine Fiani Azar as distributed to family and friends at her 40th-day-memorial in Beirut. Thanks to Bambi’ s sisters: Roula for this superb idea, and for thinking of sending a few bookmarks to Bambi. and Rania as well as Stéphanie for mailing them to her.
Have you ever tasted the falafel (also called taʿmiya in Egypt)? The latter is a common food across the entire Middle East. It consists of deep-fried balls, which are mainly made of chickpeas or fava beans (sometimes of both, if Bambi is not mistaken). It also includes herbs and spices like cumin and black pepper in addition to parsley, onions, coriander, garlic, flour, and vegetable oil.
A picture of falafel taken by Bambi and shared on this blog in December, 2019. There is nothing more delicious than “Falafel Freiha”. Mmm, a must in Beirut! Thanks to Bambi’s dad and late mom for this delicious and healthy take-out dinner.
It would have been magical if, instead of blood, tears and fear, all the innocent and tired people of the Middle East (on all sides and anywhere) could live with safety, dignity, prosperity, and with love. Yes, LOVE, along with peace… and endless opportunities to enjoy eating falafel with their loved ones.
Tragically, the above is far from being the reality of the Middle East, including Lebanon. Yes, sadly, innocent civilians, including children or youth, are losing their lives or are still being kidnapped, as Bambi is writing this post. Some are Canadians actually. As she is worried about the fate of her family and birth country, her fellow Canadians are (still) worried about the fate of their loved ones. Most likely like her, they are also sad to see the death of innocent lives. Same for her fellow Canadians of Palestinian origins. Their hearts are broken now over Gaza and the suffering of their loved ones. And what can she say about her fellow Canadians of Lebanese origins? They are also extremely concerned for the safety of their families, friends, and… their birth country (already in an extremely bad shape, economically speaking; and as a reminder, still without a President of the Republic and a new government for months now). Perhaps today more than ever with the deeply sad news of the deaths of children.
As usual, it is the civilians who are caught in the crossfire when rival entities are fighting each other. What Bambi finds sad while reading the news about demonstrations here and demonstrations there worldwide (including us in Canada), it is that none seems to consider the innocent civilians on all sides at the same time. No one deserves terror or wars. Everyone deserves love and peace of mind in life. Everyone deserves a minimum of economic security, including and especially Lebanon. Its people cannot take violence anymore. Is it too much to ask to live in a sustainable peace?
Anyhow, this post will not change anything to the harsh and scary reality of the threat of spread of war. As for you dear readers of this blog, Bambi will leave you now with two songs. The first is a light and joyful Falafel song, which she discovered three days ago while working (and listening to the radio). Although she was in a sad or worried mood about her loved ones abroad, this joyful Arabic song instantly made her smile, and even dance, in front of her screen. In turn, it is her hope that this melody will also succeed in entertaining you, despite your own worries. As for the second song, it is clearly badly needed. Is anyone listening among the decision-makers of the world who are playing with the fire of wars in the Middle East?
To conclude this post, may the memory of all those who lost their lives be eternal. Much love to their grieving families or injured relatives. Long live the falafel and light moments of life. May LOVE have the final word in our entire world, including the Middle East. May love and peace know how to find their ways back to people’s hearts. As for Lebanon specifically, Bambi prays that it be spared from the latest absurd collective insanity called war. May common sense, love, and peace prevail.
Today is not any day. How could it be when it is both Nina and Piia’s birthday? May they have wonderful times with their families and loved ones. Bambi loves them both a lot and considers herself blessed to call them friends.
Both Nina and Piia happen to be so talented in the French language (among other languages!) while sharing their special day with the late and eternal Joe Dassin. Thus, it is natural for Bambi to offer them a few of his songs. Happy Birthday Nina and Piia ❤️❤️!
As for you, dear Mr. Dassin, it feels a bit strange to realize that today you would have turned 85 had you been still alive (https://shorturl.at/vHU79). Your family, and the world of music, abruptly lost you when you were just 41 years old. Thank Goodness, your beautiful music outlives you. May your memory be eternal, perhaps today even more than ever. Much love and inner peace to your family. Same for your fans worldwide.
Elevator, Delta Hotel, Charlottetown, PEI. A picture taken by Bambi.
In the beautiful province of Prince Edward Island, in one of the elevators of its downtown lovely and practical places, you can find some wisdom on internal doors. You have to wait until the doors are closed (or almost) to fully read “Today is a great day… to have a great day“.
To what extent can we choose to have a great day, even when things seem to be dark in the world, and especially in areas of current and ongoing conflicts, including but not limited to the sad Middle East now?
To what extent can we have a great day when we know that hate is increasing worldwide toward innocent people just because we see them as part of this or not that tribe (depending on the one we identify the most with).
We dehumanize those with whom we do not agree with. We even accept, endorse, and glorify violence when it is against them. It is as if some human brains cannot accept that violence is a red flag for all. And love is a passport for a more dignified and peaceful life for all.
In some extreme cases, we literally call others traitors, when we do not agree with their perspective. We may censor them in one way or in another. We cannot stand either their nuances/moderation. In some other cases, we do not tolerate their different (and maybe more radical) opinion. Bambi is saying all this, regardless of the opinion and on the cancelling forces. This is secondary. To her, what matters is the concept of freedom of expression for all, love for all, safety for all.
Bambi may be wrong, but in her humble non-expert citizen opinion, things do not have to go the extreme, if each one of us decides to have a great day by putting love at its centre. Because we respect and love oneself, we want to enjoy the moments of our day. Because we respect and love (yes, love) others, we want them to be happy too. It can be with simple gesture of a smile or of an extended hand, as needed. It can be in a mindset of human compassion and forgiveness, not of hate and more hate.
Love gives hope in life. Hope generates more potential for love and life. May only hope have the final world in our world. May each one of you, reading this post, have a GREAT day, regardless of where you are and regardless of your own definition of greatness. May everyone be safe.
Just four-five days before the revived tragedy of the Middle East, Bambi posted this song on her blog, as shown at the bottom of this post. It was as if her dream was a premonitory dream, or a prelude, to the current nightmare of the Middle East since a barbaric human tragedy of October 7 against innocent people, sadly but not surprisingly followed by cruel human tragedies of yet more innocent people in more places. As usual, civilians are always caught in the middle when it comes to armed conflicts. Some would say that armed conflicts, or wars, will always happen in our world. It is part of human nature. Maybe, but why can’t love also be part of our human nature?
Why can’t we learn lessons from the past to build a safer and more loving future? Today, more than ever, the late and great Mr. Raymond Lévesque’s song is timely. Is anyone of those who decide (or think they decide) of rounds of violence or wars listening? Enough of suffering of innocent people in the world in all ongoing conflicts, and at all sides, including the Middle East’s current fiasco, which could or could not spread more (this regardless of any belief of anyone about anything, including historic, current, or future unfairness).
Thank you Mr. Jay Lemay for reminding us of the need for living for love. Please keep singing. You have a beautiful voice and today your/Mr. Lévesque’s message to the world (with English subtitles) is what it is badly lacking: LOVE. Yes, love, peace, respect for our shared humanity; instead of extremism or hate, and a vision for a better world for ALL children… and their children.
Following Halloween‘s fun evening of trick or treat comes All Saints‘ Day. Does the latter mean that Salome is “holy” by birth :)? Well, holy or not [whatever this means :)], Salome is amazing in many ways since she is beautiful inside and outside. For instance, she is filled with intelligence, courage, wonderful values, much compassion, an inspiring artistic creativity, and… a SUPERB pure voice, which is a treat to the ears and soul. Of note, in addition to being among Bambi’s precious blessings in life [along with Bente :)], Salome has enriched this blog with meaningful comments. Dank u well/Thanks to her. With MUCH LOVE, Bambi wishes her a very Happy Birthday!
