How can Bambi go to sleep without highlighting the forthcoming evening of Saint Anthony’s Day?
Yes, it is already January 16 at her dad’s end. Much love to him. May Saint-Anthony keep protecting and blessing him day after day.
From the bottom of the heart, warm wishes of well-being too to ALL the Tonys, Tanios, Anthonys, Antoines, and Antoinettes of the larger beloved family in Beirut and among the friends-like-family in Canada, France, and Dubai.
Of note, “Anthony the Great” is renowned for his inspiring humility. As well described by Dr. Dimitrios Tsatiris in Psychology Today (2023), “humility is the acceptance that you are no better or worse than anyone else” (https://tinyurl.com/4uswh8uu). For those of us who have forgotten how to value and live this virtue, the latter can be “cultivated“, thankfully. One way of doing so is to allow ourselves to learn from others, as shared by Tsatiris, MD who “learned so many important life lessons from his patients” (https://tinyurl.com/4uswh8uu).
May the great yet humble Saint-Anthony keep protecting Bambi’s dad et al. May he watch over Lebanon, along with the entire Middle East, in its critical moments of history where those blinded by power lost not just humility, but also—most alarmingly—their humanity.
According to L’Orient Today, Fairuz “had four children with her husband, composer Assi Rahbani, who died of a brain hemorrhage in 1986. In addition to Ziad and Hali, she is also the mother of Layal, who died in 1988, two years after Assi, at the age of 28 from a stroke, and Rima, who is now Fairuz’s only living child” (https://tinyurl.com/yc4yppmf).
As a reminder, Fairuz lost her son Ziad a few months ago, namely in July 2025. Bambi has two older posts honouring this late GREAT artist (shown below). Back then, she had a thought for his grieving mom. Today, the latter is mourning again. Indeed, she lost her son Hali to whom she had been a devoted caregiver since he became severely disabled, at a young age, following meningitis. May God know how to comfort her shattered heart.
Although no parent should have to bury his or her children, Fairuz tragically went from one loss to another. Despite her pain, she remained true to herself with her stoic and dignified silence. What a lady.
In solidarity, across the miles, Bambi sends her and her daughter Rima—a film director and a photographer— her heart once again, along with a prayer and two spiritual songs shared below.
May Hali’s memory be eternal… Blessings, and much love, to his inspiring mom.
Bambi is grateful for Salome’s great talent and generosity. Below you can appreciate the first three stunning winter-related pictures taken by her in the Netherlands. Wow, a lot of snow. May Salome, and her loved ones, stay warm while enjoying this natural beauty!
This being said, the last two pictures of this post were taken by Bambi. The red bird, called cardinal, came to her window while she was working. Fascinated, she rushed to take a small video that she shared with her loved ones domestically and abroad.
Following this, she got curious, wondering if her birth country has cardinals like North America. After googling the words “Lebanon” and “cardinals”, she smiled when she came across a picture of “Cardinal” Béchara Boutros Rai, the current Patriarch of Antioch for the Maronite (Catholic) Church. Although cardinal birds do not seem to be native of Lebanon, Cardinal Rai’s religious black costume includes some red :).
This being said, the last picture Bambi took it yesterday in the car before driving to work. She hopes that you will enjoy the shape of melting ice on the windscreen, dear readers.
Regardless of the country, winter is a charming season. However, while enjoying it, one must remember to adjust clothing and behaviour for outdoor walking and driving. This is especially the case under freezing rain or during snow storms.
Happy winter… or maybe summer season, everyone!
A picture of a nice big bird taken by Salome in the Netherlands.
A picture taken by Salome in the Netherlands.
A picture taken by Salome in the Netherlands.
A picture taken by Bambi in Sackville, NB, Canada.
A picture taken by Bambi in Sackville, NB, Canada.
Many thanks, Mr. Anthony Samrani, for your excellent overview (as usual).
Good luck to the people of Iran who have been craving freedom for so long. Today more than ever. They are a model of courage and diligence for all of us.
May God protect them from the increased wrath of the Iranian regime. This is Bambi’s prayer for them now in her heart, regardless of the implications for her birth country.
“Never has the Iranian regime been so weak and never has it seemed so close to its end.
It is under enormous pressure, first on the domestic scene where he has been facing demonstrations for twelve days now, which, last night, were massive.
But also on the external stage, with the possibility of Israeli and/or American military intervention.
Are we then witnessing the final days of the Islamic Republic, 45 years after its creation?
We must remain cautious. Firstly, because things can change very quickly, in either direction.
On the other hand, because there are still numerous unknowns.
For such a regime to fall, at least one of these two factors is necessary:
Either a significant split in the security apparatus, meaning that a part of the security apparatus would consider that the regime is finished and that it is no longer worth fighting to defend it.
Or this could involve external intervention, for example the elimination of Ali Khamenei, which would be potentially decisive in the protesters’ seizure of power.
We know that the regime will remain inflexible as long as the supreme leader is alive.
It is unknown to what extent the Venezuelan scenario in which, for example, the Pasdaran would negotiate the survival of the regime in exchange for the head of Ali Khamenei is possible in the Iranian case.
What is certain is that we are witnessing a decisive moment in all cases, both for the region and for Lebanon”.
Regardless of what he is trying to achieve for his country’s economic interests, according to Mr. Donald Trump’s disgraceful mockery, France’s population is 39 millions while the CIA World Factbook website informs us that the total estimated population is actually “68,374,591”, based on the latest reported data (2024) (https://tinyurl.com/3a5x9dht).
Are French people allowed to make fun of him in return for his lack of basic knowledge?Or does “his rule” of degrading communication styles apply to him only (double standard)? Maybe he is too clever, in his unique way, and this is a tactic in his business of politics? Or maybe he enjoys boosting his ego by putting others down?
Regardless, even if Mr. Trump’s administration will eventually get the wanted outcome in the negotiations with France, he sadly insulted, not only Mr. Macron, but also over 68 millions of French citizens… no, not 39 millions!
This music post starts by offering Diana and her loved ones a Christmas song. Thanks to Ms. Marilyn Naaman for her unique voice.
For the pleasure of Bambi’s own ears as well as yours, if you are interested dear readers, she now shares with you a beautiful Greek Orthodox Epiphany hymn, in both Arabic and Greek, performed by the The Choir of Eparchy of Tripoli in Northern Lebanon. The latter is part of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch.
Bambi dedicates this meaningful chant to her dad, Antoine, whose faith has been a source of inspiration to her throughout her life… Thank you ❤️.
Happy Epiphany to those who have celebrated it today!
“Most countries in the region remained silent after the US coup in Venezuela—with the exception of Israel, which warmly congratulated its American ally, and Iran, which strongly condemned it.
Yet the region could be directly affected by this event, and for several reasons.
The first is that the attitude of the American superpower could encourage local predators: Israel, Iran, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
While the Middle East has always been a jungle, this characteristic could be reinforced in such an international configuration.
The second is that by taking control of the country with the largest oil resources in the world, Donald Trump could threaten in the long term the position of the Gulf countries and their special relationship with the United States.
And the third point is that the Iranian regime, which has been facing protests for over a week now, could well be the target of the adventurism of Donald Trump and his ally Benjamin Netanyahu.
While it is perfectly understandable that some are now celebrating the fall of dictator Maduro, the weakening of the “axis of resistance” and the fact that Khamenei could be next on the list, it is important to understand what this “new world” means for the region, but also for countries like Lebanon which, without the protection of a foreign patron, will have a very hard time surviving in this jungle.”
A picture taken by Bambi in the downtown of Beirut, Lebanon, in December, 2019.
There is something soothing about life.
Indeed, with its repetitive seasons, life always goes on.
Yes, life keeps going on in both happy and adverse times.
Life keeps moving on after the death of our loved ones.
Life will also surely keep moving on after our own end, despite anyone’s sorrow.
When someone’s life is meant to be/continue to be, nothing prevents it; neither danger nor earlier risk in the prenatal period.
Of course, this is not the case when early or later prenatal stages of what would/could have been life are not compatible with full-blown life, postpartum.
Bearing the above in mind, this post, which is not a reflection about the natural process of life and death, focuses on the choice of life; despite the concurrent option of despair and even death, in times of adversity—both personal and collective.
To begin with, what is the nature of this force within us that keeps driving us to choose life daily and at different stages of our lives, regardless of any adversity or of the meaning we give to our existence? It is fascinating, isn’t it?
Regardless of circumstances, especially dark ones, how can we learn to keep welcoming honouring, listening to, and enjoying life force, with any resulting attitude or behaviour?
What role does introspection—capacity to look within—play in consciously choosing and embracing the will to live? Live as an innate drive to survive, but also as a chosen force to process human experience, cope or grieve, grow, thrive, and flourish.
What role does our naturally changing circumstances play in all this? Or rather what meaning do we want to give to those circumstances? In what ways do we want to interact with certain elements from our circumstances in harmony with our life values?
Of note, some elements of our context—or rather our transactions or relationships with them—may be nourishing for us. Yet others may be limiting and even potentially destructive. Same for the elements or characteristics that belong to us. They can be nourishing to others. They can also be potentially harmful. The latter are not the responsibility of others. They are not even excused by any circumstances. These personal elements—attitude or behaviours—can adversely impact others while being self-destructive in the long-term, whether consciously or not. So what to do about them?
To conclude this post filled with questions, may we all be lucid while being as psychologically flexible as possible to self-reflect, as needed, and to navigate life and relationships—with ourselves as well as others—in the most authentic way possible.
Thanks to Lebanon-based An Nahar (Arabic content) and L’Orient Le Jour (French content) for accurately covering what is unfolding in Iran. Bambi has been reading their headlines and updates for a few days now (https://tinyurl.com/35kwha9z; https://tinyurl.com/yc6jmszp).
What a sharp contrast with the apparent disinterest in the Western media, especially Canadian mainstream media. Bravo to Mr. Ezra Levant from Rebel News to pointing this to our attention.
Why the silence? To support an Islamist regime or out of hate for Mr. Trump who expressed his support to the people of Iran (whether it would be concrete or not, sincere or not)? We can dislike Mr. Trump or Iran’s enemies. Yet, we can be fair or sensitive toward the cause of the people of Iran. At least Mr Trump threatened this awful regime to stop killing the innocents as it did in the past again and again.
Bambi has always expressed her solidarity with the beautiful people of Iran. Today, more than ever, she wants to send them her solidarity, along with a Persian love song.
Upon waking up this morning, Bambi took the time to read the news, looking for cute news such as the first Canadian newborn of 2026 or, any update about Lebanon or what is unfolding in Iran or other hot places of the world.
Instead of the more expected news, she was shocked and deeply saddened to read the headlines in La Presse (https://tinyurl.com/yypjm97p), about an accidental disaster at a bar of a Swiss ski resort.
A horrible fire in the Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana afflicted a very large number of teenagers, possibly also adult tourists, and the bar’s staff in the most cruel and absurd ways.
Indeed, about 40 people were killed by the fire. Some are still missing and around 115 others are critically injured. They are being treated in different hospitals across Switzerland and even in France (https://tinyurl.com/bdb2c9p9).
May God know how to soothe the nervous system of the traumatized survivors, help heal the injured victims, empower the grieving families and friends, and comfort all the loved ones of those missing and injured. Lots of courage to everyone, including the first responders, good Samaritans (i.e., some teenagers), local community, country, continent, and/or citizens from other places around the world.
There are no words possible in the face of such tragedy. Thankfully, there is Mr. Gagon’s music of “Chanson sans mots” [A Song Without Lyrics] to speak when words fail us. May each note of his wordless song send soothing vibes of love and solidarity across ocean and land… all the way to the small Crans-Montana municipality.
