Written during the Lebanese civil war (1975-1990), “Laylat El Milad” [On the Night of Christmas] is a beautiful Maronite hymn.
Sadly, the lyrics of this Arabic Christmas carol, which is about war, remain timely in the Land of the Cedars. This post ends with an English translation (https://shorturl.at/7Ndab).
Bravo to the unique voice of Ms. Hiba Tawaji, which conveys the spirit of Christmas, namely of love and peace.
May love and peace prevail in Lebanon and in the entire Middle East, not just on the night of Christmas, but throughout the coming days, weeks, and years.
“Refrain On the night of Christmas, hatred will vanish On the night of Christmas, the earth blooms On the night of Christmas, war is buried On the night of Christmas, love is born
1. When we offer a glass of water to a thirsty person, we are in Christmas When we clothe a naked person with a gown of love, we are in Christmas When we wipe the tears from weeping eyes, we are in Christmas When we cushion a hopeless heart with love, we are in Christmas
2. When I kiss a friend without hypocrisy, I am in Christmas When the spirit of revenge dies in me, I am in Christmas When hardness is gone from my heart, I am in Christmas When my soul melts in the being of God, I am in Christmas”
Mr. Ove Samuelson’s beautiful picture was taken from Campbell’s Funeral Home website. May his memory be eternal.
It is hard for Bambi to find words to express her deep sorrow about Ove Samuelsen to her spouse (and vice versa). So how can she publicly honour their friend on her blog if she remains speechless?
She may be speechless indeed. Yet she is grateful for having had the chance to spend precious moments with Ove not just in July but also shortly before he left our world.
Beyond these brief yet highly precious moments, she is forever thankful and HONOURED to have had her life touched by Ove in so many meaningful and sweet ways.
For instance, she will always recall how Louis and her met him, first in a business setting. Then, a beautiful friendship developed over the years with him and his beloved wife Pat.
Like all their friends (many have been like family to them for several decades), Bambi and Louis are fond of Ove’s (and Pat’s) beautiful and talented family (children and grand-children!). Bambi’s heart goes to each one of them now, whether she met them or not.
Many readers, including Bente and Bambi’s own dad, will be sad by this post (William too if he is reading). However, Ove’s inspiring life story, shared by his family in a moving obituary (https://shorturl.at/I157Y) will uplift them in many ways. Indeed, like Bambi, they will recognize Ove as:
(1) the brilliant/clever yet humble, truthful, diplomatic, and supportive lawyer. Indeed, “Ove practiced law in Sackville for over 50 years and was a member of the New Brunswick Law Society and the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society. Over his long career he practiced mostly family, collaborative and real estate law. It was a long-running joke between family, friends and colleagues all wondering if Ove would, indeed, ever retire” (https://shorturl.at/I157Y)
(2) the man filled with humanity and with a pure heart. He was a spouse, father, host father (for over two decades!), and a caring (+ cute) friend. He was highly respected and loved in our town. He loved everyone, humans and dogs. They all loved him back, dogs as well as humans. He was a GREAT man who was MUCH talented in nurturing and keeping his inner child alive.
(3) the guy who loved his family beyond words and who cherished life. How can his life dare to come to its end then? Yes, sadly he died (like all of us one day, God knows when). However, he will forever remain alive in our hearts!
This being said, if there is anything that Bambi is happy about, it is to have introduced Ove to her parents during one of their four visits to Sackville. Ove and Antoine chatted about technology. Like two excited teenagers, they spent time enjoying their phone and iPad devices.
Of note, Bambi will forever honour her Friday memories with Ove and Pat. (et al.!) at the real and even virtual Ducky’s [bar in town] during pandemic times.
Of course, there are other lovely moments of friendship with Ove of both depth as well as lightness and laughter. A recent example of a deep moment of care was Ove’s heart-warming expressed concern about Bambi’s family in Beirut.
In sum, many thanks to our beloved Ove Samuelsen for having existed. He surely made our world and town a much better place. May his memory be eternal.
With much love, Bambi sends her positive vibes to her friend “Pat (Patricia Mott Samuelsen), to her (and Ove’s) children, “Eric Samuelsen, Christian Samuelsen (Michele Chappaz) and Anna Samuelsen (Rob Kleinmeyer)”, to their “grandchildren, Devin Samuelsen, Freia Samuelsen, Samuel Kleinmeyer and Ava Kleinmeyer, to Ove’s brother, Jan L. Samuelsen, to “his niece, Janna Ellsmere, and to his “nephew, Kendall Samuelsen” (https://shorturl.at/I157Y).
In addition to Ove’s family and relatives, lots of courage to all his friends (Bambi is thinking of each one of them without naming them all). Same wishes and love to his staff/team who loved him dearly, namely Sandra and Kyle.
To conclude this tribute, may God know how to comfort Ove’s family members, especially Pat. May Ove Samuelsen’s beautiful values and outlook in life guide them in their grief journey while inspiring them to live life to the fullest.
