Bambi has been silent lately. Although she has been busy, without anything particular to write about or share with you, she cannot remain silent tonight. How could she when tomorrow is such a significant day?
Indeed, like tomorrow but 102 year ago, French and International singer Charles Aznavour was born (as “Shahnur Vaghinak Aznavourian”) in Paris, France (https://tinyurl.com/b97x4wrx). Thank Goodness for his generous and impressive legacy. The world would have not been the same without his existence. May his memory be eternal.
Meant as a musical tribute to Mr. Aznavour, this post shares a few songs with you, dear readers. A powerful source of pleasure, great lyrics AND music, like those of Mr. Aznavour, can comfort the hearts, heal the wounds, inspire the minds, and uplift the souls.
To begin with, thank you Roula for having shared a deeply moving song on emotional vulnerability.
It is Bambi’s turn now to share this musical piece with you, dear readers.
Of note, the singer is unknown. Despite doubt, the song does not seem to be a creation of Artificial Intelligence, or is it?
Regardless, this beautiful song is clearly a product of high emotional intelligence and poetic talent. Both the song’s lyrics and the singer’s voice have touched Bambi’s soul.
For your convenience and if you are interested, dear readers, following the YouTube video, you can find the original Arabic lyrics, which are followed by a quick English translation. Thank you Mr. Google Translate for your assistance.
Long live humanity, music, and the most beautiful Arabic language.
“يا من رأيتَ ضحكتي، فظننتني
طلقًا كموج البحر لا ينكسر…
ما كنتَ تدري أن تحت هدوئه
غرقًا يغنّي، والأسى يتوغّل.
تعلّمتُ أن الكسر عيبٌ إن بدا،
فصغتُ من الأوجاع وجهًا أجمل.
وأضحك، لا فرحًا، ولكن خيفةً
من عالمٍ بضعفنا يسخر ويقتل.
ترى الشمعة تضحك فوق لهيبها،
ولا ترى أن الضياء يقتل.
تفنى لتعطي النور كلَّ من اقترب،
وبصمتها المرّ الخفيّ تذوب وتذبل.
أنا الذي شيّدتُ من جرحي المدى،
وفتحتُ للناس القلوب،
وأقفلتُ النور الذي أخفيه
في ليلي، وفي صدري الظلام المثقل.
يقولون: ما أقواه من رجل!
وما دروا بوحدتي إذ أذبل.
أبدو صلابةَ من يقاوم وجعه،
وإذا خلوتُ بجرحي أتمزّق.
رأيتُ من يبكي يصير أضحوكة،
فقلتُ لدمعي: ليس هذا المحفل.
وصرتُ أمشي في الحياة كأنني
فوق المسارح كلَّ يوم أمثّل.
وأشدّ ما آذى فؤادي أنني
أتقنتُ دوري حتى كدتُ أجهل:
أيَّ الوجوه أنا؟
وأيُّ حقيقة؟
أأنا المتعب،
أم أنا المتجمّل؟
مررتُ نحو المرآة ألفَ مرة،
وتجنّبتُ الوقوف كي لا أسأل:
من ذا الذي في الوجه يبدو متعبًا؟
من ذا الذي بالكسر داخله مثقل؟
يهوي وينهار الفؤاد بصمته،
ثم يبتسم لكي يقال: تجمّلوا.
أنا الذي شيّدتُ من جرحي قلعة،
وتركتُ باب الصبر دومًا يُفتح.
يقولون: ما أقواه، ما أقساه…
ولا يرون بأن قلبي يُذبح”
“O you who saw my laughter, and thought me
As free as the sea’s waves, unbroken…
You didn’t know that beneath its calm
A drowning song, and sorrow deepens.
I learned that vulnerability is a flaw if it shows,
So I fashioned a more beautiful face from my pain.
And I laugh, not out of joy, but out of fear
Of a world that mocks and kills our weakness.
You see the candle laughing above its flame.
And you don’t see that light kills.
It perishes to give light to all who approach,
And with its bitter, hidden silence, it melts and withers.
I am the one who built the horizon from my wound,
And opened hearts to people,
And locked the light I hide
In my night, and in my heavy darkness.
They say: What a strong man!
And they don’t know my loneliness as I wither.
I appear resilient, one who resists his pain,
But when I am alone with my wound, I am torn apart.
I saw that he who weeps becomes a laughingstock.
So I said to my tears: This is not the place for this gathering.
And I walked through life as if I were
performing on a stage every day.
And what pained my heart most was that I
perfected my role so well that I almost didn’t know:
Which face am I?
And what is the truth?
Am I the weary one,
Or am I the one who puts on a show?
I passed by the mirror a thousand times,
And avoided stopping so I wouldn’t ask:
Who is it that looks tired in the face?
Who is it that is burdened with inner pain?
The heart falls and collapses in silence,
Then it smiles so that people will say: “Put on a show.”
I am the one who built a fortress from my wounds,
And always left the door of patience open.
They say: How strong he is, how cruel…
And they don’t see that my heart is being slaughtered”.
Thanks to L’Orient Today, Bambi learned that the Lebanese Prime Minister said the following words, during a dinner at Beirut’s Makassed Islamic Charitable Society: “The state can only exist through a single national decision, that of its constitutional institutions; a single weapon, that of its national army; and a single law” (https://tinyurl.com/mwyaxt93)” (https://tinyurl.com/mwyaxt93). He even added “Enough accusations of treason, this will never intimidate us“. He was referring to the third round of direct negotiations with Israel, which took place in Washington yesterday and today (https://tinyurl.com/mwyaxt93).
Of course, Hezbollah is categorical: it refuses those talks, insisting on keeping its weapons and on continuing its suicidal war with Israel, which is now occupying about 16% of Lebanon with about 68 villages emptied and destroyed.
Instead of choosing reason, and most significantly Lebanon, Hezbollah seems to be still serving the Iranian regime’s interests. It seems ready to do it until the last breath–its own as well as the last breath of the innocent Lebanese civilians. Once again, the latter are caught in the middle of a regional war that does not belong to them. When it is not to support Gaza, it is to support the Iranian regime and before the Syrian regime and in 2006 and earlier, the same old wars that everyone is sick and tired of.
Of course, we can criticize and be angry toward Israel endlessly for being powerful, and without mercy, when it comes to defending its people. However, one must not forget that the weapons of the Hezbollah are problematic to Lebanon before any other foreign entity. They should have been confiscated at the end of the civil war, as they were from the other militias. It is about time now.
So, yes Mr. Nawaf Salam, you are right: “The state can only exist through a single national decision, that of its constitutional institutions; a single weapon, that of its national army; and a single law” (https://tinyurl.com/mwyaxt93).
A picture taken by Bambi in her backyard in Sackville, NB, Canada.
This post is meant to share a picture taken by Bambi a couple of days ago.
Sunsets represent the end of days with the hope of fresh starts in the next morning.
Sunsets feel both fast and slow. Even if we try to capture them with a snapshot, they are naturally beautiful transitional periods of time.
Magical, they seem unique each time, even if they have been happening forever.
They remind us that endings can be peaceful, not necessarily sad.
Endings have the potential to be the beginning of creative transformations. Sometimes they may even already carry seeds of resurrections.
Perhaps the wisest lesson from sunsets is to slow down to appreciate the present moment while being grateful for what ended and hopeful about what is beginning.
On March 5th, 2026, students of the “Collège de la Sainte-Famille” in Fanar, Lebanon, received the Palm of Honour of the 2026 French Education Abroad (EFE) network. This prestigious distinction highlights inspiring initiatives led by students/educational communities within the French network abroad.
If you wish, you can listen to this beautiful song composed by the Lebanese students. Their brief video starts with the following inspiring written message: “To Afghan women, to all women deprived of their freedom, to those who fight, to those who hope… we sing for you.”
Following the song, you can read the YouTube description of this project as well a quick English translation of its original French lyrics; thank you Mr. Google Translate.
“When students decide to use their voices for those who no longer have them.
At the Collège de la Sainte-Famille in Fanar, Lebanon, students wrote a song entitled “By Us, For Them” to support young Afghan girls deprived of education.
Their message is simple:
📚 Education is a universal right.
This project was awarded the Palme d’honneur of the 2026 French Education Abroad (EFE) network, a distinction that highlights inspiring initiatives led by students and educational communities within the French network abroad.
The song was written by eleventh-grade students and gives voice to millions of girls around the world who are fighting for their right to learn.
If this initiative resonates with you, please share it.
Because sometimes, a song can carry the message of the freedom to learn far and wide”.
—
English LYRICS of “By us, For them” [“Par nous, pour elles”]
“They stole my books but not my memory. I keep it in my palm.
They closed the door on me but
[music]
not my thoughts.
I still dream of school amidst regrets. Even in our circumstances, let’s learn to sing
or have my wings burned. I will rise again from the wax of my voice despite everything.
[music]
I will fly away. I will fly away.
Silence will never be stronger than thoughts.
With my broken pencils, I want to write in the dark on the
[music]
invisible and invincible walls of memory.
Give me
[music]
the education I deserve, this learning we walk, this light we ascend. Help me to overcome
[music]
this merit, this learning we give, this light we surpass.
[Music]
Help me through this life and then I will fly [Music] to the realm of knowledge.
Carried by
[Music]
my voice, I will fly higher than the night. There, where each time illuminates the equality
that he lives, I sing then for myself, for you, and for [Music] all those who know that the redemption of the world must pass through
[Music]
her.
Through us, for her.
I will rise again, I will rise again, I will rise again”.
CBC (https://tinyurl.com/4cv7dr54) reminded us that Ireland, Spain, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and Iceland are absent from the Eurovision competition because of the participation of Israel. Some people in the audience booed the young Israeli singer yet Mr. Bettan did a remarkable performance at the semifinal. His song, called “Michelle“, is about a breakup. Regardless of wars in the world, may music keep entertaining, comforting, and healing all the broken hearts, including Mr. Bettan‘s heart.
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 : )!
