“Being a dad is my most important job because it not only affects my children, but their children and many generations to come” (Mr. Mark Dominik, General Manager, Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
Dads come in all shapes and sizes. Same for father figures. They all deserve to be acknowledged, honoured, and loved back.
For whatever reasons, some dads are literally absent (not in their kids’ spirits or dreams). Tragically, others may be dismissive even when physically present in their children’s lives. Yet, sadly, other fathers may be trapped in cycles of domestic violence or exponential levels of narcissistic traits.
Of course, life is a rich journey and death is part of it. So dear readers, maybe your own dad (or father figure?) is in heaven. If so, may his memory be eternal. If not, may you cherish each moment together.
As for your own fatherhood journey (if it applies), some of you may be new dads (hello to the most caring Michael “habibi”!). Some are more senior. Others may be grandfathers too (hola Doudou, “Abouna Elias”, etc.!). Yet others may have played fatherhood roles, including foster and host parenthood, in the most rewarding ways (coucou Luigi!).
This being said, Bambi sends her heart to readers who may have lost a child and to those who experienced a heart-aching grief at any time point of the continuum losses of pregnancy. Same for those who are facing biological or adoptive delays as well as those who do not want to become fathers. To all you, best wishes. Some of you may be uncles (i.e., kinship or not) to beloved kids, without being official dads. Others are uplifting guys to whom younger ones look up to. Some of you may be good spiritual figures. Others may have a big heart and a persistent will to love. Please keep being who you are, our world needs much love.
To all the world’s dads, ESPECIALLY to her most inspiring adorable dad, Antoine [or Antonio :)]: Happy forthcoming Fathers’ Day! Sunday is Canada’s Father’s Day. In Lebanon, this day falls on June 21st, 2025 (thanks again, dear Jessy, for your kind wishes).
Of note, Bambi is blessed to still be in Beirut on Canadian Fathers’ Day. Yes, there is Middle Eastern drama now: yesterday night, it felt surreal to be watching, with her own eyes, missiles flying over Lebanon, on their way from Iran to Israel. All this while sitting next to her dad, in such a nice place, both being surrounded by love. We shared laughter and bites with cherished ones, along with concerns about the escalation and about loved ones trapped abroad (of course, there is also her own planned departure in a couple of days. She just want to peacefully fly out back home on time. Time will tell, if this would be possible then. From the bottom of her heart, she wishes the innocent victims of this Middle Eastern’s current/continuous madness to heal well or… to rest in peace (wherever they are and whomever they are).
The irony of yesterday night’s precious moments of immense joy mixed with war concerns (and sorrow for a recently deceased great dad-friend) reminded Bambi of the the mixed joy and deep grief, along with jet-lag, at her nephew’s most beautiful wedding. At that time her mom’s soul departed to heaven. Antoine, her/their hero of dad/grandfather protected his grandson Michael, daughter, et al. with his legendary stoic attitude, which allowed the celebrations to go on.
At the end of the day, this is is life. It is simple and at times complex, along with its reassuring process of always moving forward, no matter what. It is thus up to us to create the present moment or to capture daily opportunities to love and be mutually loved. Yes, life is truly short, especially in the Middle East. As Bambi’s mom used to say, “what can we do? We do not choose our birth country. It chooses us” (in line with the concept of “radical acceptance” of reality). This is Lebanon in the here and now. This is its neighbourhood in the here and now. If things escalate further or longer, let’s patiently wait for the storm to pass, just like Atlantic Canadians deal with their natural winter storms. May the future be brighter than the current darkness. May the children of the children of all the dads, especially those residing in Lebanon/the Middle East, live a dignified, peaceful life filled with LOVE, the most precious ingredient.
