Bambi sends her love to you “Mama”, across the skies. She does the same to her courageous dad as well as sisters et al., across the miles. There is not a single day that goes by where your presence is not strongly felt within her heart and mind. Please mom, be well wherever you are and watch over your family as well as your birth country, just like angels would do. We all miss you, not just on your birthday.
A picture taken by Bambi flying over Canada and the Atlantic Ocean on August 23rd to attend her nephew’s wedding in Athens (hello Michael & Stéphanie ❤️) … This same day turned out to be the last one of her mom’s life on earth. Her stoic and loving dad kept the news to himself for three days to allow the wedding to proceed…
A picture taken by Bambi on August 23, 2023 on her way to Europe.
There is something ironic with dates sometimes. Robine’s framed picture above was taken at the wedding of Bambi’s childhood friend with her dear spouse (Bambi was not present there, but her family in Beirut attended it and celebrated their love with them). It is on the birthday of her best friend that both Robine and her mother-in-law left our world to be in heaven. May their souls keep resting in peace and may their respective memory be eternal. Much love to Bambi’s friends (et al.) and may our connection in love as well as faith transcend death.
“Love is greater than death. In the time that links the sky and earth, the most beautiful mystery is hidden. Think of it when you close your eyes to sleep: Love is greater than death” (Françoise Hardy). Bookmarks of Robine Fiani Azar as distributed to family and friends at her 40th-day-memorial in Beirut. Thanks to Bambi’ s sisters: Roula for this superb idea, and for thinking of sending a few bookmarks to Bambi. and Rania as well as Stéphanie for mailing them to her.
Have you ever tasted the falafel (also called taʿmiya in Egypt)? The latter is a common food across the entire Middle East. It consists of deep-fried balls, which are mainly made of chickpeas or fava beans (sometimes of both, if Bambi is not mistaken). It also includes herbs and spices like cumin and black pepper in addition to parsley, onions, coriander, garlic, flour, and vegetable oil.
A picture of falafel taken by Bambi and shared on this blog in December, 2019. There is nothing more delicious than “Falafel Freiha”. Mmm, a must in Beirut! Thanks to Bambi’s dad and late mom for this delicious and healthy take-out dinner.
It would have been magical if, instead of blood, tears and fear, all the innocent and tired people of the Middle East (on all sides and anywhere) could live with safety, dignity, prosperity, and with love. Yes, LOVE, along with peace… and endless opportunities to enjoy eating falafel with their loved ones.
Tragically, the above is far from being the reality of the Middle East, including Lebanon. Yes, sadly, innocent civilians, including children or youth, are losing their lives or are still being kidnapped, as Bambi is writing this post. Some are Canadians actually. As she is worried about the fate of her family and birth country, her fellow Canadians are (still) worried about the fate of their loved ones. Most likely like her, they are also sad to see the death of innocent lives. Same for her fellow Canadians of Palestinian origins. Their hearts are broken now over Gaza and the suffering of their loved ones. And what can she say about her fellow Canadians of Lebanese origins? They are also extremely concerned for the safety of their families, friends, and… their birth country (already in an extremely bad shape, economically speaking; and as a reminder, still without a President of the Republic and a new government for months now). Perhaps today more than ever with the deeply sad news of the deaths of children.
As usual, it is the civilians who are caught in the crossfire when rival entities are fighting each other. What Bambi finds sad while reading the news about demonstrations here and demonstrations there worldwide (including us in Canada), it is that none seems to consider the innocent civilians on all sides at the same time. No one deserves terror or wars. Everyone deserves love and peace of mind in life. Everyone deserves a minimum of economic security, including and especially Lebanon. Its people cannot take violence anymore. Is it too much to ask to live in a sustainable peace?
Anyhow, this post will not change anything to the harsh and scary reality of the threat of spread of war. As for you dear readers of this blog, Bambi will leave you now with two songs. The first is a light and joyful Falafel song, which she discovered three days ago while working (and listening to the radio). Although she was in a sad or worried mood about her loved ones abroad, this joyful Arabic song instantly made her smile, and even dance, in front of her screen. In turn, it is her hope that this melody will also succeed in entertaining you, despite your own worries. As for the second song, it is clearly badly needed. Is anyone listening among the decision-makers of the world who are playing with the fire of wars in the Middle East?
To conclude this post, may the memory of all those who lost their lives be eternal. Much love to their grieving families or injured relatives. Long live the falafel and light moments of life. May LOVE have the final word in our entire world, including the Middle East. May love and peace know how to find their ways back to people’s hearts. As for Lebanon specifically, Bambi prays that it be spared from the latest absurd collective insanity called war. May common sense, love, and peace prevail.
Today is not any day. How could it be when it is both Nina and Piia’s birthday? May they have wonderful times with their families and loved ones. Bambi loves them both a lot and considers herself blessed to call them friends.
Both Nina and Piia happen to be so talented in the French language (among other languages!) while sharing their special day with the late and eternal Joe Dassin. Thus, it is natural for Bambi to offer them a few of his songs. Happy Birthday Nina and Piia ❤️❤️!
As for you, dear Mr. Dassin, it feels a bit strange to realize that today you would have turned 85 had you been still alive (https://shorturl.at/vHU79). Your family, and the world of music, abruptly lost you when you were just 41 years old. Thank Goodness, your beautiful music outlives you. May your memory be eternal, perhaps today even more than ever. Much love and inner peace to your family. Same for your fans worldwide.
Elevator, Delta Hotel, Charlottetown, PEI. A picture taken by Bambi.
In the beautiful province of Prince Edward Island, in one of the elevators of its downtown lovely and practical places, you can find some wisdom on internal doors. You have to wait until the doors are closed (or almost) to fully read “Today is a great day… to have a great day“.
To what extent can we choose to have a great day, even when things seem to be dark in the world, and especially in areas of current and ongoing conflicts, including but not limited to the sad Middle East now?
To what extent can we have a great day when we know that hate is increasing worldwide toward innocent people just because we see them as part of this or not that tribe (depending on the one we identify the most with).
We dehumanize those with whom we do not agree with. We even accept, endorse, and glorify violence when it is against them. It is as if some human brains cannot accept that violence is a red flag for all. And love is a passport for a more dignified and peaceful life for all.
In some extreme cases, we literally call others traitors, when we do not agree with their perspective. We may censor them in one way or in another. We cannot stand either their nuances/moderation. In some other cases, we do not tolerate their different (and maybe more radical) opinion. Bambi is saying all this, regardless of the opinion and on the cancelling forces. This is secondary. To her, what matters is the concept of freedom of expression for all, love for all, safety for all.
Bambi may be wrong, but in her humble non-expert citizen opinion, things do not have to go the extreme, if each one of us decides to have a great day by putting love at its centre. Because we respect and love oneself, we want to enjoy the moments of our day. Because we respect and love (yes, love) others, we want them to be happy too. It can be with simple gesture of a smile or of an extended hand, as needed. It can be in a mindset of human compassion and forgiveness, not of hate and more hate.
Love gives hope in life. Hope generates more potential for love and life. May only hope have the final world in our world. May each one of you, reading this post, have a GREAT day, regardless of where you are and regardless of your own definition of greatness. May everyone be safe.
Just four-five days before the revived tragedy of the Middle East, Bambi posted this song on her blog, as shown at the bottom of this post. It was as if her dream was a premonitory dream, or a prelude, to the current nightmare of the Middle East since a barbaric human tragedy of October 7 against innocent people, sadly but not surprisingly followed by cruel human tragedies of yet more innocent people in more places. As usual, civilians are always caught in the middle when it comes to armed conflicts. Some would say that armed conflicts, or wars, will always happen in our world. It is part of human nature. Maybe, but why can’t love also be part of our human nature?
Why can’t we learn lessons from the past to build a safer and more loving future? Today, more than ever, the late and great Mr. Raymond Lévesque’s song is timely. Is anyone of those who decide (or think they decide) of rounds of violence or wars listening? Enough of suffering of innocent people in the world in all ongoing conflicts, and at all sides, including the Middle East’s current fiasco, which could or could not spread more (this regardless of any belief of anyone about anything, including historic, current, or future unfairness).
Thank you Mr. Jay Lemay for reminding us of the need for living for love. Please keep singing. You have a beautiful voice and today your/Mr. Lévesque’s message to the world (with English subtitles) is what it is badly lacking: LOVE. Yes, love, peace, respect for our shared humanity; instead of extremism or hate, and a vision for a better world for ALL children… and their children.
Following Halloween‘s fun evening of trick or treat comes All Saints‘ Day. Does the latter mean that Salome is “holy” by birth :)? Well, holy or not [whatever this means :)], Salome is amazing in many ways since she is beautiful inside and outside. For instance, she is filled with intelligence, courage, wonderful values, much compassion, an inspiring artistic creativity, and… a SUPERB pure voice, which is a treat to the ears and soul. Of note, in addition to being among Bambi’s precious blessings in life [along with Bente :)], Salome has enriched this blog with meaningful comments. Dank u well/Thanks to her. With MUCH LOVE, Bambi wishes her a very Happy Birthday!
Fifteen years of the childhood of Bambi and of many of the readers of her blog, literally around the world, have been hijacked by those shamelessly and stupidly indulging in the senseless violence of civil war. Luckily, our family’s love can shelter us from the cruelty around us. However, many decades later, the Middle East appears to be stuck in the same, yet MUCH more cruel, cycles of violence. Is there anything sadder for humanity then seeing innocent human beings suffering again and again? Why can’t love drive the world, like in the beautiful songs of our childhood, instead of extremism and hate?
It is hard for Bambi to type on her keyboard with the elbows since both hands are up. Who knows? You may be smiling now, if you happen to be nostalgic to your childhood TV cartoons, namely Grendizer (or Goldorak).
For those of you who do not know this unique character. Here is what it is all about: UFO Robot Grendizer (Goldorak) was created in Japan about 45 years ago. Of course, it is fun to watch it while also being inspiring it, at least for those of us who are touched by acts of compassion, peace aspirations, and love. It makes young kids, their parents, and nostalgic adults dream of odd yet kind saviours and of a sweeter world.
Bearing the above in mind, Bambi learned from an article in La Presse that Japanese inventor Ryo Yoshida created “Archax,” a cool and highly impressive $3 million-worth robot, which measures 4.5 meters (length) and weighs 3.5 tons. Its speed can be up to 10 kilometers/hour. It is piloted from within a high-tech cockpit (https://shorturl.at/jwHS4).
Can you imagine, Mr. Yoshida can now pilot robots, like Grendizer (Goldorak) or others similar UFO characters? Can you imagine yourself doing the same one day? Or, can you be even more creative, and imagine that while doing so you have the magical power to save innocent people or shield them from danger? Wouldn’t it be nice to spread the beauty of technological creativity, along with love for humanity, instead of terror and wars?
Bambi went to bed after reading the very sad news of the death of Matthew Perry (https://shorturl.at/FHSU7). She sends her heart to your family and friends– the ones in real life and/or on TV or in movies. Thank you for having entertained many of us, literally around the world. You have inspired us with your acting talent, which included the best role someone can earn in life: a FRIEND ❤️. May your soul rest in peace and may your memory be eternal…
Bambi would like to offer you a chocolate treat ahead of Halloween :).
Did you know that today is the National Chocolate Day (https://shorturl.at/fijOT)? Whatever this means, Bambi wishes you a good one.
Some of us cannot live without chocolate. Many may be diabetic whereas a few can be literally allergic to cocoa or to milk. Who knows? They can even be sensitive to one of the chocolate’s ingredients https://shorturl.at/aIY57).
Through this post, assuming that you are a chocolate tolerant (and ideally lover like her!), Bambi offers you a little treat. Yes, you will get a virtual chocolate of your choice (dark, milk, white, etc.), along with a few song about chocolate in different languages.
