Word Of Founder
I
miss you dad. I am sad we lost you so soon and in this painful way. I wish you
lived longer to see our children grow up. You filled our days with laughter and
joy, and now your death has left a great void in our lives. You were the
greatest loving dad and the dearest friend to all of us. You devoted your life
to us; you provided for us, took care of us and listened to our problems. You
were our safety net.
You
went through many hardships during your childhood, but you never complained and
never gave up on life. On the contrary, you worked hard and you became the great
successful person that everybody loved and looked up to. I am so proud to be
your daughter.
You
loved Bazbina and each and everyone of its people, and they loved you too. You
loved life and you enjoyed every second of it. You always looked at the bright
side of life and thanked God for what he has given you. I want to be like you
and see life through your eyes.
I
promise you dad that I will keep your memory alive and do the things that you
liked to see me do. I am sure that you are in a better place now watching over
us and guiding our way in this life.
You
will be in my heart forever and I will always miss you. May you rest in
peace......
From
all your family who loves you very much.
Your
daughter,
ROULA.
Posted
by Manuel Hazim on March 27, 2001
In
Reply to: My dad Elias Issa posted by Roula Elias Issa on March 26, 2001
Dear
Roula,
How
much your words are true and deeply felt. I could imagine Elias with me while
reading through your note. I could add a lot and a lot about Elias and I will
never finish. We all remember Elias and his words of greetings: "Ya Hala
Bel Ward" or "Ya Hala Bel Woroud". This prompted Samir Nassar and
myself to call our daughters: Hala.
Also,
his greeting: "Ya Hala Ibna-Khoui". His chants and his harmonica never
to be forgotten. All of a sudden he starts with "The Spanish National
Anthem" of Franco and turns to "Zhabyata-l Ounsi Ta'alaiy" to end
up with "Arijou-Zahri min Ourfek".
He
was following every student from our community, including myself. He wanted to
know what and how are we doing what are we thinking and planning for the future
. He used to direct us and tell us that with determination we can attain
marvels. When we graduated, he worked laboriously to get us posted. He had the
confidence in every one of us that we are going to excel and be successful in
life. He thought of us as a mirror reflection of himself and that would mean
that our success is his as well.
Personally,
I can not forget Elias. After my graduation in 1970 I travelled to Nigeria to
work with CAT on road jobs. We were left alone in far and remote areas, in
virgin tropical forests and in swamps. To get food supplies we had to send our
storekeepers over earth-roads to the nearest city on a journey of 4 hours. I
will not be exaggerating to state that the strongest spiritual support I had
then was through the regular letters of my father and those of your Dad, which
are safe kept in my files.
In
being positively active with the people around him, giving them advice and
spiritual support, he was truly following the word of God and he would be the
first to be in Heaven.
He
will be always remembered. We shall encounter few like him in our lifetime. God
bless his memory and his soul.
Manuel...