Today was the International Tolerance Day (https://shorturl.at/tyS14), in addition to being George’s birthday [happy new year to him again 💚!]. Bambi shared this song on her blog once in the past. In standard Arabic (and sub-titled in English), it is meant for tolerance, shared humanity, peace, and love. It was composed by Mr. Ziad Rahbani for his mother Fairouz in 1981, that is in the middle of the cruel Lebanese civil war (1975-1990). The powerful and wise lyrics are by Mr. Gibran Khalil Gibran. Needless to say that this musical piece applies to any absurd violent conflict of the world.
Bambi’s heart is heavy, like all the fans of Mr. Kevin Tremblay and the incredibly talented and inspiring “Les cowboys fringants“. Indeed, Québec, Canada, and the world, especially the Francophonie, lost Mr. Tremblay at just age 47. May his memory eternal. If she may, Bambi sends her love to his wife and musician, Ms. Marie-Annick Lépine, and to their other fellow band members (https://shorturl.at/giNV9). Same heartfelt vibes to his family, friends, and fans domestically and around the world.
Before leaving you to go to sleep, Bambi will share three of Mr. Tremblay’s songs. The first one, dedicated to his little sister, moves her heart each time she listens to it. The second lovely melody mentions Mr. Joe Dassin. As for the third song, it is a powerful tribute to the late Mr. René Lévesque, founder of the Parti Québécois, Prime Minster (official title for Premier in Québec) from 1976 to 1985. Mr. Lévesque was an open-minded NB-born journalist and an inspiring patriot, whether we share his vision for his people or not.
Bambi considers herself blessed for many reasons. One of them is that, across the miles, and on all sides of the family (both her own and her spouse’s), she has wonderful cousins. Christiane (Coco!) is one of them. Indeed, she is a friend, not just a cousin. May she have a beautiful birthday. May all her beloved ones be safe. May joy fill her heart today and every day. Much love to her, along with wishes of peace and prosperity ❤️!
How about spreading joy, or at least positive vibes, instead of intolerance or hate?
Some people are naturally talented in spreading joy around them. Clearly, Mr. Patrick Sébastien is one of them. Thanks for the uplifting melodies, happy 70th birthday (https://tinyurl.com/3te7fts5), and all the best to him!
Of note, Mr. Sébastien’ second song, entitled “Comment ça va?”, is making Bambi think of the Shorts, a Dutch band with whom she was in love when she was 11, especially because of their German version of Comment ça va? (mixed with French and English). The Dutch version follows the latter. For fun, the post will end with a 7-year-old video of the same melody (in French and English) by the singer of the Shorts. What a sweet treat for Bambi’s ears and eyes, just before sleep :).
May this brief musical post succeed in putting a smile on your face, regardless of your worries or state of mind. Please remember to take good care.
Lebanon’s fate is still pending. However, its beauty is never-fading.
Hala, Bambi’s childhood friend, appreciated the latest post featuring Louis’ beautiful pictures of the sunset in PEI, Atlantic Canada. This was especially true as she was enjoying a stunning view of the Lebanese sunset from her own balcony. She captured the precious moment, which she sent to Bambi who asked if she can in turn share it with her readers.
Thank you, dear Hala, for your incredible support and continuous generosity. You have enriched this blog with meaningful contributions. In her heart’s prayer, Bambi asks God to protect you and your family in Lebanon’s incredibly delicate times. May you keep enjoying the beauty of our birth country now and for years to come. May we be able to see each other as soon as realistically possible. Until then, please take good care ❤️.
Thanks to Louis for kindly sharing his beautiful pictures with the readers of Bambi’s Afkar.
Indeed, this post shares five pictures, which Louis took last Sunday evening. It ends with a joyful Lebanese-Arabic song by Fairuz, with English sub-titles, about the charm of the nights and the fun of singing. It is entitled Ya Sahar El Layali.
Like many of you most likely, Bambi appreciates sunsets. In addition to the magic of this moment, she usually feels reassured because sunsets bring the promise of a new dawn. It does not matter how dark a night, or one’s life, can be. At the end of the day, even a tough one, there will always be the promise of a new hope with the coming next one(s).
May the sunshine of love, forgiveness, peace, beauty, and prosperity shine on the entire world, including its bloody Middle East.
May everyone be able to appreciate and spread beauty around.
Long live the beauty of the drive in the Atlantic Canadian province of Prince Edward Island (PEI) toward the Confederation Bridge.
On November 11, 1918, World War I was brought to an end.
What lessons have we learned from this war and the next ones?
How can we prevent wars? How can we keep protecting our freedoms and cherishing our peace? How can we be more united in love and in our shared humanity?
To what extent do we still honour values like sacrifice, solidarity, unity, gratitude, pride, love, and peace?
Regardless of the answer to the above questions, thank you/un grand merci to all our veterans for their courage and sacrifices.
Pictures taken by Bambi in Charlottetown (PEI, Atlantic Canada) on November 4, 2023.
It is with much sadness that Bambi quickly read the news of Canada, mainly of Québec, and learned about the following: arguments resulting in insults, injuries, and arrest at Concordia University (https://tinyurl.com/46cm67ph). Most significantly (as it is about criminality), she read about shooting at two Jewish schools, as well as vandalism of a synagogue, and a Jewish centre (https://tinyurl.com/bdevu9tv).
Can someone tell Bambi how could these fellow Canadians of Jewish heritage be responsible for the violence in another continent? Why are we harassing and scaring them? Why are we conflating? Of course, Bambi would have said the exact same thing had the targets been of Arab origins.
To conclude this brief post, Bambi will leave you and leave herself with a song by the late French singer, Mr. Daniel Lévi,entitled L’Envie d’aimer [the Desire to Love]. Why is it that complicated to believe in love, like the beautiful lyrics of the song? Why can’t we spread love around us in our daily lives, especially in times of much darkness in our world? Why can’t we try to listen to each other and learn from each other? Together, we may come to new opinions or imagine a better future? Why should we resort to unacceptable violence just because we are upset about this or that conflict around the world?
Mr. Yves Montand was born on October 13, 1921. He took his last breath on November 9, 1991. He had such a beautiful voice, which was discovered by Ms. Edith Piaf (https://tinyurl.com/58wcunh4). May his memory be eternal. May this post know how to honour his legacy with a few of his songs, along with warm regards to each one of you.
There are some days where we do not feel like thinking or even writing about anything. We surely do not feel like reading the news about the world, namely its doomed Middle East, which is currently filled with blood, tears, and fear. So, how about singing hymns for peace instead?
The Bird and the Child is a hymn to peace, which Bambi, adores. She was 5-year-old when this beautiful song was written by Mr. Joe Gracy. Its lovely music was composed by Mr. Jean-Paul Cara. The song made France win the Eurovision Song Contest in London, UK, thanks to the great performance of Ms. Marie Myriam (aged only 19 back then; https://tinyurl.com/bdxp7z48).
The French lyrics describe a young girl who lives in a country of war and misery. Despite this, just the sight of a bird made her dream that the latter and herself could change the world and make it more peaceful (https://tinyurl.com/bdxp7z48). Yes, she dares to imagine living in a country of love. From the point of view of the bird, the world is filled with beauty, not just human cruelty. Later, this hymn for peace became the musical symbol of the Children’s Rights League (https://tinyurl.com/bdxp7z48).
It is Bambi’s hope that the children of the entire world, including ALL those of the Middle East, will live in safety, dignity, peace, prosperity, and especially LOVE. They deserve a safe and loving world 💚. Their parents as well 💚.
