Perhaps time is frozen at our last video call with your beautiful smile (thank you, Samer)?
Perhaps time is stuck at our last phone chat with your warm voice (thank you, Khoder)?
Or is time standing still since Bambi saw oil being placed on your head at the very end of your funeral service (thanks to the link, Gladson in Beirut and Michael in Dubai)?
Regardless of time moving while being relatively still, your voice keeps echoing in Bambi’s ears. To her last “I love you, papy“, you replied “I love you more and all of us here we do so“.
THANK you for having been, not just Bambi’s lovely dad, but most significantly a teacher of love. What a blessing to all of us.
May your soul rest in peace and memory be eternal, Antonio habibi…”habib albna kilna”!
💜💜💜
This post ends with Roula’s MOVING words about her dad, a beautiful pamphlet honouring the lives of Antoine and Robine, two brief prayers for the dead in Arabic and English respectively, and Mr. Richard Clayderman’s piano music because Antoine was a fan. Love and peace to Roula, Rania et al. (including you, beloved Samer and Khoder), along with the Azars extended family members, friends, and childhood neighbours across the miles, wherever they are now.
Thank you Roula!
A brief prayer in Arabic for mom and dad… and all the deceased. May their memory be eternal.
Since 2019, Lebanon has been going from crisis to crisis and from war to war.
Even in the darkest times of a nation, good news emerge, giving us hope for a calmer and brighter future.
Yes, it is no secret to any reader. Dr. Roula Douglas happens to be one of Bambi’s two sisters; our entire family, on earth and in heaven, is proud of her!
Regardless of any love or blood bias, Bambi can only agree with Antonine’s University (https://shorturl.at/PUddQ) great choice of Academic Dean, which is perfectly aligned with its vision of excellence, for its Faculty of Information and Communication. The latter currently offers several programs not just in journalism, but also in audio-visual, graphic design, and advertising, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels (https://shorturl.at/E1Lk9).
Clealry, Roula’s “distinguished profile bridging academia, research, and journalism“—enriched by her vivid intelligence, critical thinking, creativity, work ethics, and sense of fairness—is a source of inspiration to us all. Bravo to her/”Mabrouk” and all the best in her esteemed new position!
As for Lebanon, may you keep moving forward despite the scary challenges, collective traumas, and lasting scars of violence. May your universities and schools keep making your youth dream of healing, peace, love, and prosperity. May their dreams become a possible reality with one attitude at a time, one baby step at a time, one day at a time.
Bambi has two old posts on her most talented friend Michael Lifshitz (shared below).
Michael is a source of inspiration not just to Louis—his childhood friend— and to Bambi, but also to the entire Canada. He is also a source of laughter and thus of good times.
Actually, Bambi does not know from where to start to describe Michael to you, dear readers. Some of you may be lucky to know him or have heard of him. For those who do not know him yet, he is a skilled comedian in addition to being an accomplished, highly successful entrepreneur.
From his own bio found on his website (https://tinyurl.com/y4v5ectc0), we learn that “Michael was born with a condition called Multiple Congenital Musculoskeletal Abnormalities. In addition to wearing an artificial leg, he walks with a cane and uses a wheelchair for longer distances. Contrary to what many would believe possible, he became a chartered accountant and also obtained a MBA from Edinburgh Business School.
He has built and sold successful accounting and financial planning practices. Today, in addition to continuing a successful career in finance and accounting as CFO and co-founder of Breakaway Experiences, a gift experience company, he uses speaking, comedy and writing to not only educate people as to what people with disabilities can do, but to also inspire them to overcome their own challenges and live their life to the fullest of their abilities”.
A skilled financial consultant, Michael who now resides in Ottawa is an entrepreneur in private practice while having worked—as a financial advisor—for both Investor Group and McGill University over many productive years.
In addition, and of note, Michael Lifshitz is a HILARIOUS comedian, as you can see in the YouTube video below. Of note, his full comedy album was released on December 3rd, 2025, which was the “International Day of People with Disabilities”. It is entitled “Speech from the Throne – Living with a Disability in Canada”. For those of you who are interested, it is available on Apple Music (https://tinyurl.com/3nev3rnb).
Of note, even if this post describes Michael’s multi-talent holistically, it focuses mainly on his comedy skills, performing as a one-man-show. Those skills, which are in line with the World Laughter Day (https://tinyurl.com/2pmcpdrc), are much needed at all times. Indeed, they contribute to heal our troubled world, making it kinder, lighter, and more beautiful.
Nevertheless, in addition to his artistic talent (sharing stories from his own life), Michael is an uplifting Canadian citizen. Indeed, he has contributed to public life and even ran for municipal politics while living in Montreal.
Furthermore, Michael is a passionate advocate for youth well-being and for the prevention of violence.
Not only all that. Despite his busy schedule, Michael finds the time to regularly (and safely, thankfully!) jump off buildings to raise funds for meaningful social causes. For instance, in September 2019, he raised funds for Easter Seals Nova Scotia in Drop Zone Halifax. Easter Seals Nova Scotia has been advocating for Nova Scotians with disabilities for over 80 years. Its top-quality services promote mobility, independence, and inclusion in society. Bravo to them and to Michael!
To conclude this post, thank you Michael for whom you are with your humanity, values, and skills. Thanks for our precious friendship. Bambi loves you beyond blog’s posts and world’s laughters or smiles. Please keep up your talent, be well, and come to visit your two friends in Sackville, NB ❤️. We now have a couple of buildings in our small town : )!
