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From Samer
Letter to my father
Dear Hares, (dad, baba)
I miss your smile, your laugh, your answering of my phone calls with ‘ahlan habibi’, your friendship, your guidance, and your comforting presence that always conveyed to me that everything will be ok. If I could go back in time, I would convey to you over and over again how much I love you, how much I appreciate you, and I would spend more time with you, I would travel with you, and see the world with you, I would take care of you more, and be there for you more. The hardest part about your loss is not knowing if and when we will ever be reunited again. I have every hope and belief that we will, but the uncertainty can be taxing. I know you have sent me some signals that you’re around us all the time and that we will reunite and sending those signals may have gotten you in trouble, so I really appreciate that.
I remember a time when you fought cancer and refused to bow down to it, only because of your superhuman strength and your incredible attitude. By doing that, you’ve given us so many more years of having you lead and support and love us, and you have given the privilege for our new family members to get to know you and to be related to you.
It was fun when you attended all my basketball games, when you spent good times with me and my friends, and when you danced at my wedding.
It was hard for me when I left in a taxi in 1989 heading to the USA and I didn’t even get to hug and kiss you given all the bombs that were falling, and then traveling all the way without knowing you’re ok. I wish I were able to live by your side for more days, months, and years, and I wish I didn’t listen to you and bought you a better car.
I feel like I am the luckiest person in the world because I have known you closely for 47 years, let alone because I had you as a father, no one else in the whole world has had that privilege.
I am sorry for all the headaches I caused you, for all the times you’ve had to come to school to bail me out, for the bad decisions that I made in my life that have caused you to worry about me, and for not being right next to you a lot more often.
The best memory of you is everything! There’s nothing about you that is not great, extraordinary, or remarkable. You are a saint in every which way. If you were here right now, I would hug you tightly, kiss your hands, your forehead, your feet, and ask for your blessing.
I am thankful for all the care you’ve given me, for all the values you’ve instilled in me, for all the advice you’ve provided me, and for your unconditional love for me. No one has ever been nearly as good to me as you’ve been.
I hope that you’re happy in the Heavens, reunited with those that you love, free of any ailments or troubles, and comfortable that we will always be piloted by your guidance, and that we will take care of each other as you would want us to. I hope that we will reunite when God wills.
Samer
From Hania
Letter to my father
Huhu ya Huhu
Where do I begin… to tell the story of how great a man can be...
I’m no storyteller... I’m struggling to find the words... How can I even put you into words? How can I summarize an encyclopedia in a paragraph? You were my encyclopedia. You were my backbone, my guide, my shelter, my mentor, my strength. You were my serenity, my inner peace, my motivation, my inspiration, my encouragement, my reassurance. You have always made me feel that “things are going to be OK” despite the hardships you faced. You had the gift of spreading optimism, especially to your children, at times when you were going through the toughest of Life’s tests. You never showed us your distress. All we ever saw was your smiling face, shining with love and faith. How can anyone go through such pain and stay that strong?! What a fighter you were!!
How can I describe a person who retained his smile till his last breath? How can I express my awe to a man who has always been there for me as father, a mother and a friend? How can I explain to the world what a special person you were, Huhu, with your loving nature, your selflessness, your pride, your sense of humor, your endless sense of giving, your thirst for education, your innocence, your purity, your inner strength? Maybe I don’t really need to. Your funeral was an embodiment of that. Instead of mourning you, we all found ourselves celebrating the man you were, surrounded by loving friends and family. You have surely left your stamp on everyone who knew you.
One thing is clear to me, I know how special I was to you. You have shown it a million times by repeating over and over again the story of how happy you were when I was born. I used to find it funny that every single time it felt like it was the first time you told the story, and I used to listen and smile as if it was the first time I heard it. Now I understand it was your way of expressing your love and joy of having me.
You used to proudly tell people: “She is my daughter, my friend, my wife, my mother, my companion...” But!... I only wanted to be your daughter!! I wanted to be ME!!... Now I understand! Now I know it was a need for you, a need to fill the gap of the female support system that was missing from your life. How selfish of me...
I asked you once: can you teach me how to raise my children? You smiled and said: “this is something I can’t do. You will figure it out”. Now I understand. Now I know that all you need to do is befriend them, love them and nurture them, and your values will automatically be transferred to them.
So many things I now understand... I now understand that one can never be too old to have parents. I miss your guidance. I miss your support. I miss your positivity. I miss telling you about my worries and fears then getting a smile in return, reassuring me that things are going to be ok. I miss showing you my accomplishments and seeing pride in your eyes. I miss hearing your stories about my kids when they were little and watching you laugh, as if these were happening for the first time. I miss telling you how proud of my kids I am and sharing the feeling with you. I want to also tell you how much they miss you. Oh, the effect you have on them! Oh, the effect you have on all of us! We are all so blessed to have retained a share of you.
I know you are still with us Huhu. You are in us, you continue to exist through us. It is only your body that left. I can feel your silent presence. I can hear your soothing voice. I can see your loving smile. You are what keeps us strong. You taught us never to give up. Everything good we are is because of you, because of the values and principles you have implanted in us, and any flaw we have is because we did not listen to you at times. I know what a proud father, grandfather and father-in-law you are. It brings me peace to know that you left with a sense of fulfilment and contentment. Even on your death bed, your half-conscious smile was radiating with love and satisfaction.
I wish I could go back in time to take better care of you, but I know this is not what you would have asked for. You were so selfless that even in your suffering you worried about our own comfort. So I choose to look ahead as you have always taught me to, and promise to take care of the people and values that meant a great deal to you.
I can never be grateful enough to have had you as a father.
Love you Huhu, our guardian angel.
Hania
From Rami
Letter to my father
Sidna,
I miss your smile, serenity, greatness and wisdom. If I could go back in time, I would spend the same time I spent with you. The hardest part about your loss is losing the physical interaction. I remember every single moment you spent with me since I was a kid watching over me, protecting me and giving me everything I needed or asked for. It was fun when witnessing you having fun with my kids. It was hard to me when I had to let go of you on your dying bed even when you left us with the same “وقفة عز” you always stood!
I wish you are spending a great time next to mom. I feel that you are having a great time next to her looking at your grave that got surrounded with pink flowers from underneath after your death and your heavenly reunion. I am sorry for being a naughty kid at times. The best memory of you is your great name. It isn’t a simple thing to be called Rami Hares Halawi! Just for the sound of it, your name adds a “وقفة عز” to my name and our family!
If you were here right now, I would hug you and kiss you tight. I am thankful for being your son. I hope you are proud of us. Words can’t express and elaborate 43 years of love & devotion thus I would like to end my straightforward letter with a Paul Anka song that reminds me a lot of you and what you went through in your life! My kids now listen to it and feel your serenity as it appeals to them just like it does to me:
Everyday my papa would work - To try to make ends meet - To see that we would eat - Keep those shoes upon my feet - Every night my papa would take me - And tuck me in my bed - Kiss me on my head - After all my prayers were said - And there were years - Of sadness and of tears - Through it all - Together we were strong - We were strong - Times were rough - But Papa he was tough - Mama stood beside him all along - Growing up with them was easy - The time had flew on by - The years began to fly - They aged and so did - I And I could tell - That mama she wasn't well - Papa knew and deep down so did she - So did she - When she died - Papa broke down and he cried - And all he could say was, "God, why her? Take me!" - Everyday he sat there sleeping in a rocking chair - He never went upstairs - Because she wasn't there - Then one day my Papa said, - "Son, I'm proud of how you've grown" - He said, "Go out and make it on your own. - Don't worry. I'm O.K. alone.- " He said, "There are things that you must do" - He said, "There's places you must see" - And his eyes were sad as he - As he said goodbye to me - Every time I kiss my children - Papa's words ring true - He said, "Children live through you. - Let them grow! They'll leave you, too" - I remember every word Papa used to say - I kiss my kids and pray - That they'll think of me - Oh how I pray - They will think of me - That way - Someday
My real rocky is gone! He is gone to a better world! He is gone to a peaceful world! He is gone to hopefully reunite with his soul mate 32 years later!
Seedna ya seed el kil! What can I say about you! As Samer said, you need books to describe the legend you were and will always be!
32 years ago, you were my father. Overnight, you became my mom, my friend, my brother, my house mate, my idol, my guard, my guide, my everything! Now you are my angel! Grandpa & grandma were not mistaken when they called you Hares! A name I proudly kept through my youngest!
Your name is the greatest thing you left us with!
People’s love and respect to the great legend you are is what reassures and rewards us from this huge loss we had today!
You fought for us all your life! You kept fighting till your last breath! You didn’t accept going without a proper farewell from the 3 of us together!
What keeps us going is the priceless kingdom you built with your name and reputation! The smile that never left your face despite the toughest obstacles you had been through since 1994 when unprofessional doctors & the so called most reputable hospital in Lebanon failed you and decided you were dead!
I can keep talking and talking but will never pay you back for 1% of what you gave me! I hope I can be 1% as great dad as you were and will always be!
Love you till we meet again! Take care of yourself, mom and the loved ones! Protect us from above like mom was while you were from down here! Keep your head up high like you always did ya rafeek 3omreh! Cause one thing we both agree on: ان الحياة كلها وقفة عز فقط
Rami
From Walid
Letter to my father-in-law
،عمي المحب الحبيب
طال تفكيري بما اكتب، فكنت أبحث عما لم يُقل، ولكنّي عجزت أن أجد ما قد لا يعرفه عنك الجميع. فمحبتك لمست كل من عرفك، ورضاك ووجهك الباسم أراحا قلوبهم. شفافيتك وصدقك يُقتدا بهما، وعطفك وحنانك يُستمد منهما الأمان. وطنيهٌ وقوة وعزًّة وكرامة ووفاء وكرم وعطاء، أعجز ولو أن أكمل ملخصاً عن شيمك النبيلة
افتقدت لجلستك بيننا، فكان حضورك مفرحاً للصغار والكبار. لم نعرفك يوما قلقاً أو حزيناً. فالابتسامة لم تفارق وجهك المحب، حتى أنها باتت في ذهني أراك مبتسماً حنونا راضياً مطمئناً كلما ذكرتك أو ظهرت في مخيلتي. أرجو أن يكون هذا انعكاساً عن وضعك الحالي وأكاد أن أصدق أنك تريد أن توحي لي بأنك راضٍ مطمئن مبتسم في مكانتك الأزلية
افتقدت لجلساتنا الطويلة سويا التي كان فيها الكلام والصمت يأتيان عفويا. تشابه طبعانا بالهدوء فما أحسستني يوما بأن صمتي ممل أو بأن المحادثة ضرورية لتمضية الوقت. صدق من قال: إن الصديق الأصيل هو من تستمتع بمجالسته بصمت. فهكذا كنا نستمتع سويا بأوقات صامتة معا وهكذا كنت سهل التعامل، مصدراً لا ينقطع عن توريد الأمان والاطمئنان للجميع
لم يتسنّ لي أن أشكرك على هذا، ولم أشكرك على الأكثر من هذا بكثير. ولم أشكرك أيضا على محبتك وعطائك المتواصلين والغير محدودين لي ولعائلتي. لا أذكر يوما طلبت مني أو من أحدٍ غرضا أو خدمة، بل كنت تهلع لعطاء الجميع ما يمكن أن يساعدهم ويريحهم ويفرحهم وكانت سعادتك تكتمل بسعادتهم
أشكرك على محبتك وأشكرك على كل ما كنت عليه. أرجو الله أن يحرص على سلام روحك ويحرسها كما حرست سعادتنا
صهرك وابنك المحب
From Serine
A drawing for my father-in-law
From Yasmina
A poem for my father-in-law
“But what's in a smile you may say
Many would tell you it's his signature way
A true gentleman, sweetest soul
He could alone reinvent mankind
His life was all about standing tall
Against all challenges that he faced alone
Not a day went by that he complained
He never backed out from giving it his all
And not a day did he not smile
even in the darkest of days the most intense of pains
He would overcome all that would hold away his smile , and yet again come through
Showing that beautiful soul shining bright
What a beautiful man, what a beautiful soul
What a gorgeous heart and spirit too
He was both a mother and a father
But he went further to be their friend and companion
His three children are a work of art
Each one carries within a piece of his heart
Crystal pure souls, his energy is contagious
He will live on in them for generations
His story will be told that there was a legend born
He lived a life out of norm
He was a saint in disguise,
But even that he kept quiet not to give in to pride
Respect and dignity were his principles
And never drifted into Ego and minuscules
His grandiose spirit had room for all
His heart maintained a birds eye view
Never swept in the mundane
He kept us all aware of a higher hue
His energy was calming, light yet warm
He was a saint all would've sworn
His soul is rare, didn't belong to this earth
Heavenly spirit had to return to his home
In heavens is where he belongs
With his soul mate he has rejoiced
Wings of feathers keep watching over us
You are our guides in heavens
Till we all meet again
You are a legend, a hero, and a story to be told
Your next generations will hear of you and be proud
Your fighter spirit, loving nature, and strength will live on
Your sweet soul and sweet smile are ingrained in our hearts and minds forever
Even in your name you guard all that is sweet (Hares Halawi)
Rest in heavenly peace
Yasmina
From Aya
Reflections
Reflections
Reflections
Reflections
Reflections
Jeddo always put one or two pens in his pocket, like an engineer, and every time he held me, I would take that pen out of his pocket, and he would laugh. This became a game between him and me. The only time he would be strict with me is when he would tell me to drink tea when I was sick, and I would refuse. I hate tea, and he knew this, but he would always wait until I had finished the cup before leaving my side.
Once, Jeddo was going to the pharmacy, and he asked me if I wanted anything. I told him yes, please get me a shampoo called Kiss My Face. So, he went to the pharmacy and told the lady that worked there: “Kiss My Face”. Obviously, she was shocked, and when her manager heard him, she thought he was harassing her employee. But I imagine that when they saw his innocent face and smile, they understood that he was joking. And then everyone had a big laugh.
Reflections
From Khaled
A letter to Jeddo in 2020
My dearest Jeddo Hares,
Today is your birthday, almost three years since you reunited with Teta and others who parted before you. I miss you so much. We all do. But if I could only tell you one thing, it would be that we are all thriving; happier than ever and closer than ever, despite the world falling apart around us. This is the legacy you left with us.
I’m sorry it took me so long to write anything, I can’t justify it. I’ve been working hard in Boston these past few years, trying to make a man out of myself, but at times I’ve lost track of what it is that got me here. I was reminded of that when the pandemic hit. Spending those months with Samer, Yasmina, and Aya was the best thing I could have ever asked for.
I was reminded of the love you left us with. Not that I ever forgot about it entirely, but it can be hard when the majority of the year is spent away from family. But quarantine forced me to remember. I will never forget watching Yasmina endure one of the hardest academic periods in her life, all while fasting and cooking our favorite dishes for iftar. I will never forget seeing Aya, who loved her friends at university so much, have to endure the disservice of a graduation apart from them, yet still finding a pure, child-like joy in the little things, like putting together a compilation video of all their times together over the years at MIT, or crying of laughter taking pictures of Miley sitting on a cardboard box. I will never forget finally understanding how little I understand about the sacrifices Samer made to get us where we are. I never realized the extent to which he puts everyone else’s hopes and dreams upon his shoulders, rejoicing with them in their victories and comforting them in their losses, only to hide his own struggles for fear of putting any extra weight on others. If this sounds familiar, it’s because he inherited this directly from you.
I will never forget the moment I learned of your passing. I was in Chicago, visiting some friends for thanksgiving and woke up to an international call from my dad; I had missed my flight. I answered the phone and immediately started apologizing, telling him I would try and rebook for later that day, and then he calmed me down and gave me the news. I didn’t cry because I didn’t believe it. Thankfully, I was with friends, and the rest of the day went by smoothly. I booked my return ticket for the next day and did some work while sitting, numb, in disbelief of what had happened. That evening, I received a call from Aya. I stepped out onto the balcony and we cried together on the phone until my tears froze and my hands shook. When I returned, we met in person and did the same, only holding each other this time. How could you be gone? You were the strongest man I had ever known. When I was young, you would throw me so high I feared hitting my head against the ceiling, and then you would catch me, always. Just as you did with Aya, and continued to do through Neno, Bilo, Dimo, Sari, and Rousi. I had never known an old man with such strength. You were truly young.
I remember how much you loved stories. One time, when I was young, you took me with you on a kazdoora (as you loved to do so much) to get groceries. At one point, you leaned over the basket of tomatoes to look for the ripest ones, and I, being a silly child, pushed you over from behind. It must have been so embarrassing, falling face-first into the produce in the middle of the grocery store, but every time you told that story, you would laugh yourself to tears! It is this same energy I was met with once I finally returned to Dubai after a long first semester away. Everyone was happy, and we were all together, basking in the joy you gave us.
When you passed, you saw everyone whose life you touched celebrate your memory, grateful for having known you. Everything I heard and read, all the beautiful stories recounted by the masses all touched upon at least one of three themes: your unwavering strength and protectiveness, your embraceful motherhood, and your beautiful, beautiful smile. It is truly poetic how these three traits manifest so vividly in your three children. Samer, the guardian, much like your name; using everything in his power to protect his loved ones from pain. Hania, my beloved mother, who had to learn to be a mother from you. I know you must watch her with pride and disbelief in what she has accomplished, raising three children of her own, all radiating with the love you gave us. She learned this from your example. Finally, Rami; always smiling, always laughing. He inherited your joy and appreciation for the simpler things in life, and has worked hard to fulfill your memory in his business and in his family. His three children, Nadim, Sari, and Hares, your namesake, all inherited this energy from you through him, and despite their young age, I’m so grateful you were around long enough for them to come to know and love you as they do. I will never take for granted how blessed I am to have been born into this family that is so tight, despite being spread so far across the globe. The love you gave us splits oceans and pulls continents together, and it will live in our children and their children for eternity.
A part of me wishes you had stuck around just a little longer. Long enough for me to show you the man I am becoming now. I’ve been doing well in school now. Really! I wish you could see. I’ve made so many great friends here and even fallen in love. I’ve told Eve so much about you, and wish she could have had the chance to meet you and see, first-hand, the miracle of a human you are. I’ve learned so much, here. I’ve had so many successes, and many, many more failures. A part of me wishes you could see what I’ve become and what I’m becoming, but I know you can. What I selfishly long for is for you to tell me how proud you are of all of this, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that you’ve seen it all. You’ve seen my mistakes and my growth, and I’m lucky that you’ve been here with me since the beginning of my journey in this country. And I know you’re proud of me, as you always have been.
Thank you for everything you’ve left us with. For all the secrets to happiness you discovered for us, and all the lessons you passed down. Thank you for loving your children endlessly, and raising them to be so resilient and inspiring. Thank you for accepting my father as one of your own, and loving him as much as you did. And thank you for, after all of this, having so much love left to spare for your grandchildren. If I could only tell you one thing, it would be a shame because there is far too much to talk about! From the Heroics of Serine during the explosion in Beirut to protect her precious children, to the love you instilled in Emily and Hussein, as well as hundreds of others outside the family who had the pleasure of knowing and loving you. But if I really could only tell you just one thing, it would be that we all love each other and you so immensely, and you can rest assured that we’re in good hands; the hands of the children you raised in your image and left in charge so they can do the same for generations.
Happy Birthday, Jeddo.
Love, Khaled
From Zein
Reflections
"There are no words capable to describe my Jeddo Hares, however I look up to him because of his endurance and happiness. Never in my life have I seen him fret. Not when he was losing at a game, not with the constant lack of electricity, not even when he was sick and in extreme pain towards the end of his admirable life. Even through his darkest times he always ensured to put on a smile and hide his pain from his loved ones, to subside their worries.
I will always look up to him, and when I too am in my darkest times, my Jeddo's happiness and big smile will remain engraved in my mind."
Zein
From Bilal, Nadim, Sari and Hares
A special drawing for Jeddo - From Bilal
A letter to Jeddo - From Nadim
From Nadim
From Sari
From Hares
From Zakie
Reflections
حين دخل حارس أسرتنا، سريعاً ما أصبح بمثابة الأخ الكبير لنا خصوصاً وأن أبي كان متوفياً حديثاً. فعلى من نتّكل؟ جاء هذا الصهر الخلوق وصار بالنسبة لي أنا شخصياً ملجئي وسندي، أشكو له همي وأشاركه مشاكلنا أنا وأخوتي
أخوتي الأصغر، نصرة ومحمد كانا يناديانه بـ"عمو" و"يآجروا فيه"، يقولان له: "عمو جبلنا هالشغلة، عمو بدنا هيدي الشغلة"، وهو يلبي طلباتهما حتى من دون موافقتنا. وحين نعاتبه على فعله يقول: "معليش أولاد، خليهم ينبسطوا
كان حارس هادئاً، سكوتاً لا يحب الثرثرة أبداً. وكان صبوراً، جباراً، يتحمّل كل شيء ولم يقل كلمة "آخ" خلال كل مرضه. ومن شدّة حبه لأولاده ولزوجته، كرّس حياته لهم ولم يرد أن يتزوج أبداً. لقد كان مخلصاً إلى أبعد حدود. ولم يقف ولاؤه عند عائلته وأصدقائه فقط بل طال عمله أيضاً، إذ كان يخرج مع اثنين من زملائه خلال القصف العنيف للمدينة، متوجهاً إلى مركز سلامة الطيران المدني لتفقّده. كان يخاف من أن يُسرق المركز لما فيه من آلات ومعدات و"سيمولايترز" لم تكن موجودة في الشرق الأوسط كلّه. وهو كان يدرّب الطيارين المدنيين ليس فقط في لبنان إنما أيضاً في الشرق الأوسط. لقد كان حريصا ًجداً على كلّ ما يوكل إليه
صحيح أنه كان قليل الكلام لكن حضوره كان قويا جداً ولم يخلُ من حسّ الدعابة، فكان "يشتغل فينا وبالجيران" أحياناً. فخلال الحرب، اضطر حارس وعائلته إلى السكن عندنا لفترة، وكنا نجتمع ونلعب الورق، وهكذا بنى علاقات مع الجيران وصار يقوم "بمقالب" معهم وخصوصاً مع جارنا الذي في الطابق تحتنا والذي لقّبه بـ "حارس ابن ظالم"، لأنه ذات يوم ربط دمية من "البورسولان" على شكل ثور أسود بحبل وأنزلها من شباكنا إلى شباك غرفته التي يعرف حارس أنه كان يجلس فيها وكاد أن يُغمى على الجار من الخوف عندما رأى الثور الأسود يطلّ عليه من الشباك. كان حنوناً وقوياً إلى أبعد حدود، ولولا حبّه لأولاده لما كان ليعيش طويلاً نظراً لوضعه الصحي الصعب. إلا أن حبّه لهم كان أقوى من أي مرض، أو ضائقة، أو بلاء
زكية
Hares quickly became like an older brother to me, as soon as he joined the family, especially since my father had recently passed away at the time. Who are we to depend on now? This good-mannered brother-in-law became a source of comfort for me personally, someone I relied on heavily, telling him about my problems and my siblings’.
My younger siblings, Nasra and Mohammed, used to call him “Ammo” and always asked him to get things for them. They would say, “Ammo get me this thing, Ammo we want that thing.” He would respond to their demands without waiting for our approval. When we would complain about this, he would say “it’s okay, they are children, let them enjoy themselves.”
Hares was calm and quiet, and he didn’t like gossip in the least bit. He was patient and strong, able to withstand everything, never even saying “akh” when he was sick. He dedicated his life to his wife and children and never remarried because of how strongly he loved them.
He was extremely loyal. He was not only loyal to his family and friends, but his loyalty extended to his professional life, as well. He would leave work with two of his colleagues while the city was under heavy shellfire and go inspect the Civil Aviation Safety Center. He was afraid that the center would be robbed because it had machines, equipment, and simulators that were not available anywhere else in the whole of the Middle East. He trained civilian pilots, not only in Lebanon, but also throughout the Middle East. He was very careful with all that was entrusted to him.
While Hares was a man of few words, he had a commanding presence, and he was not devoid of a sense of humor, sometimes "pranking” us and the neighbors. During the war, Hares and his family had to live with us for a while. We would meet and play cards. He built a good relationship with the neighbors and used to pull pranks on them, especially on the neighbor who lived on the floor below us. The neighbor nicknamed him "Hares, Son of the Oppressor" because one day he tied a porcelain puppet made in the form of a black bull with a rope and dropped it from our window into the window of the neighbor's room, where Hares knew that he was sitting. The neighbor almost fainted out of fear when he saw the black bull from the window! Hares was very affectionate and strong, and without his love for his children, he would not have lived for so long in spite of his failing health. His love for them was stronger than any disease, distress, or scourge...
Zakie
From Nasra
Reflections
كنت أناديه "عمو حارس"، فأنا كنت في السابعة حين دخل بيتنا. حارس علمني أشياء كثيرة، فهو كان بمثابة أبي الذي بالكاد عرفته إذ توفي وأنا في الخامسة من عمري. وأنا أذكره في طفولتي أكثر مما أتذكر أبي. كان حاضراً كثيراً في حياتنا، وكان أولاده محور حياتنا إلى حد ما، خصوصاً بعد وفاة أختنا دلال. عاش معنا ٥٣ سنة وكانت حياته جزءاً من حياتنا. عاش مشاكلنا وساندنا في أزماتنا كما أننا ساندناه وشاركناه محنه وهو لو لم يكن جباراً لما تحمّل كل الذي مرّ به
الموسيقى كانت مهمة جداً في عائلتنا، فأمي كانت تعزف العود وخالي كان عواداً مشهوراً. حارس أيضاً كان يحب الموسيقى وهو أول من عرّفني إلى إديت بياف وأهداني أسطواناتها. إلا أن ذائقته الموسيقيّة كانت تختلف عن ذائقة أمي وكنا نضحك كثيراً حين يتشاجران بسبب أم كلثوم التي، لسببٍ ما، لم يكن يحبها ويفضّل فيروز على الجميع
نصرة
I was seven when Hares came into our house and I used to call him uncle. Hares taught me many things. He was like a father to me; I barely knew my own father, as he died when I was five. I have more childhood memories with Hares than I have with my own father. He was very much present in our lives, and his children were the center of our lives to a certain extent, especially after the death of our sister Dalal. Hares lived with us for 53 years, and his life was part of our lives. He lived our struggles and supported us in our crises, as we supported him with his, and if he weren't remarkably strong, he wouldn't have been able to handle everything he went through.
Music was very important to our family; my mother played the oud and my uncle was a famous oud player. Hares also liked music and was the first to introduce me to Edith Piaf, offering me her record. However, his musical taste was different from my mother's taste and we laughed a lot when they quarreled about Umm Kulthum, who, for some reason, he did not like, preferring Fairuz above everyone else.
Nasra
From Jahda
كان بمثابة الأخ العطوف، والحنون، مليئاً بالحياة وبقدرة هائلة على العطاء. كان يعامل أولادي كما لو أنّهم أولاده، وهو وقف كثيراً إلى جانبي، خصوصاً بعد وفاة زوجي. كان يذكر دلال في جميع المناسبات كما لو أنها كانت لا تزال حية، فهو لم يقل أبداً "الله يرحمها"، بل يتحدّث عنها كما لو أنه رآها البارحة، ويتحسر لأنها لم تر أحفادها. كان في الخمسين عندما ترمّل، لكنه رفض الزواج. ليس فقط بسبب حبّه وإخلاصه لزوجته، إنما أيضاً حرصاً على عدم جرح مشاعر أولاده في حال لم يتفقوا مع زوجة أب محتملة. كرّس حياته لأولاده ولم يتذمّر يوماً من أيّ شيء
جهدة حلاوي
"He was caring, compassionate, so full of life, and he had a tremendous ability to give. He was like a brother to me. He treated my children as if they were his own, and he stood by my side, especially after my husband died.
He mentioned Dalal on all occasions as if she were still alive. He never said, "God have mercy on her." Instead, he spoke of her as if he had seen her the day before and grieved the fact that she had not seen her grandchildren. He was 50 when he was widowed, but he refused to remarry, not only because of his love and devotion to his wife but also because he was wary of hurting his children's feelings, worried that they may not get along with a stepmother. He dedicated his life to his children and never complained about anything."
Jahda
From Emily and Hussein
Hussein Moussawi
Hussein Moussawi
Hussein Moussawi
آخر سنتين كان بمثابة أبي الثاني، كنت أخدمه بعيوني... حين ألبسه حذاءه كان يغمرني وينظر إلي شاكراً. فهمت عليه بسرعة ونشأت علاقة حميمة جداً بيني وبينه. كان يحترم القوانين كثيراً وقد علمني كيف ألتزم بقوانين السير. وكان يعتذر عن خدمتي له، ويطلب لي فنجان القهوة أول ما أصل إليه وكأنني ضيفه لا سائقه. كان السيد الحنون لا السيد المتعجرف أو الآمر. ويوم انكسر تليفوني أعطاني المال كي أشتري واحدا جديداً من دون أن أعلمه بأن تليفوني انكسر. إيميلي هي التي أخبرته. كانت عنده روح المرح التي جعلته يمازحني وكأنني ابنه. يقوم بمعاملات تخص أولاده ويدفع بدلها من دون علمهم بذلك، رغم أن معاشه كان قليلاً. كل ما يخص أبناءه كان مقدّساً بالنسبة له
كان يطلب مني شراء الكتب له، وكان يلتهم الكتاب في ثلاثة أيام ثم يطلب مني إحضار الكتاب الثاني، وهي كانت كتباً سياسية وتاريخية بشكل أساسي. كان يعطي المحتاجين دائماً وأنا تعلمت كثيراً منه، وخصوصاً حينما مرض. كانت معاناته كبيرة وعرفنا أنه لن يعيش كثيراً. وحين مرض ابن أخيه أراد أن يأخذه إلى الطبيب، وهو كان بالكاد قادراً على المشي
إنه شخص جبار وقوي وحنون لديه صفات من الصعب اجتماعها في شخص واحد. لقد ترك فراغاً كبيراً في حياتي رغم أنني لم أمضِ كثير اً من وقتي معه، لكن وجوده في حياتي كان ملجأً عاطفياً بالنسبة لي. كان يريد أن يحمل هموم كل من أحب كمن يقول لهم أعطوني همومكم كلها فأنا أستطيع أن أحمل كل شيء. وتوفي وهو يبتسم
حسين
“In the last two years, he was like my second father. I served him “with my eyes.” When I would help him put his shoes on, he would hug me and give me a grateful look. I understood what he wanted quickly, and we formed a tender relationship. He respected the rule of law a lot and taught me to respect traffic laws, as well. He would apologize for my service to him and ask that a cup of coffee be prepared for me as soon as I arrived, as though I were a guest, not a driver. He was the tender gentleman, not the grumpy or demanding employer. He gave me money to buy a new phone when he found out from Emily that my old one broke. Mr. Hares had a humorous spirit that made him joke around with me as though I were his son. He used to process bills for his children and pay them without their knowledge, although his pension was limited. Everything related to his children was sacred to him. He would ask me to buy books for him, he would devour one book in three days, and then ask me to bring him another; mostly political, literature or historical books. He always gave the needy, and I learned a lot from him, especially after he got sick. His suffering was immense, and we knew he wouldn't live much longer. When his nephew fell ill, he wanted to take him to the doctor, although he could hardly walk himself. He was a strong and affectionate person with a combination of qualities that is rare to find in a single person. His passing left a huge gap in my life. Although I did not spend much time with him, his presence in my life was a comfort to me. He wanted to carry the burdens of everyone he loved as though he was telling them, "give me all your concerns. I can carry everything.” He died with a smile on his face."
Hussein Moussawi
Emily Ebrado
Hussein Moussawi
Hussein Moussawi
"I worked for Mr. hares since 2011. The first thing he told me when I arrived that I shouldn’t be shy, but say what I feel. I should tell him if I needed anything and feel myself at home. I am a nurse, so I didn’t know much about housework, so he taught me how to plumber, how to fix electricity issues, how to use the washing machine, how to clean the shower, etc. He taught me everything that had to do with the household. He used to ask me about my family how they live, what they do how old my parents are… he was curios to known about the Philippine, what we eat there, how we live, even about politics. Because of him I could send my 2 brothers to school and later on to university and if my parents needed money before the end of the months, he immediately sends it to them. He used to say “come sit and let’s talk” then he tells me about his late wife, how much he loved her and how a good person and an excellent cook she was, or how he raised his kids alone, how much he enjoyed to be with them and how much he misses them now. Then he tells me funny things or gives me advises for my life, that I should take care of myself, that I should marry and make my own family. He used to say “priority is the family”. He treated me like his own child. I took care of everything, his medicine, his clothing… everything. There are 2 things he never wanted to remove from his body: his wedding ring and the watch that his older son, Samer offered him. He wakes up between 4 and 6am. He eats his breakfast at 7 and if the weather is good, we go to the corniche for a walk. Then he goes to sleep after he has read the news. He wakes up again at 9:30 to eat his fruit. Lunch is at 12. At 4pm he gets his second dessert and at 7pm his dinner. At 9pm a dessert again. In the evenings, he sits in the salon, he reads, or plays cards, or listen to the music. Sometimes he asks me to sit next to him and we watch a movie together (he loved Audrey Hepburn a lot), and we start commenting on the movie. He was like my grandpa not like a boss. I didn’t like to leave him alone so if I needed anything, he gives the money to the driver to get it for me. 2 years before he dies, he gave me a lot of beautiful things that he didn’t need anymore, telling me to give them to my parents and brothers. He was extremely generous and lovable. At the end he couldn’t talk or do anything, yet he kept smiling. He is a good man. He loves me and I love him very much. "
Emily Ebrado
Emily, Hussein, and Ibrahim - The Dream Team
Emily, Hussein, and Ibrahim - The Dream Team
Emily, Hussein, and Ibrahim - The Dream Team
Thank you for everything that you did...
Emily, Hussein, and Ibrahim - The Dream Team
Emily, Hussein, and Ibrahim - The Dream Team
From Samer's Friends
Mohammed Jaber
Moustapha, Ihab, Bilal, Walid, Mazen
Khaled El Dabbagh
عمو حارس، لم يكن مجرّد أبٍ لصديق بالنسبة لنا، بل كان بمثابة أب بديل. كان منخرطاً في حيواتنا وكنا نشاركه أشياءً لم نشاركها بالضرورة مع أصدقائنا. لقد رافقنا في مراهقتنا كما لو كنّا أبناءه. حين كنت مراهقاً توفي خالي الذي رباني وكانت خسارته بالنسبة لي موجعة جداً. يومها أرسل لي عمو حارس رسالة تعزية. حين تقرأ كلماته الرصينة، والحكيمة والمريحة الآتية من شخص بعمر أبيك، وأنت تعرف أنه عانى ما عاناه في حياته، تصبح لهذه التعزية قيمة فريدة بالنسبة إليك
لقد كان رجلاً استثنائياً ووجوده في حياتي علّمني الكثير خصوصاً في كيفيّة تعامله مع مرضه الذي فاجأ أيضاً الأطباء فيها. فهو كان يشجع أولاده على تحمّل الوضع، هو الذي كان لا يملك من الطاقة سوى طاقة الحبّ. خسارته كانت تشبه خسارتي لوالدي الذي رحل قبل أشهر قليلة من رحيله. لقد أثّر، فينا جميعاً بمعانٍ كثيرة، ورحيله ترك فراغاً كبيراً في حياتنا. من الصعب بالنسبة لي أن أعبّر بالكلام عن مشاعري تجاهه. عادة نقدّر الأشخاص على ما يفعلونه وننسى تقدير الأشخاص على ما لم يفعلوه
عمو حارس، لم يؤذِ أحداً في حياته، ولم يقف في طريق سعادة أحد ولم يتطفل على أحد ولم يحكم على أحد، بل كان يستمع إليك بهدوء وحب ويقول لك بحكمته المعهودة رأيه لو طلبت أنت ذلك. مجرد وجوده يشعرك بأنك مقبول، محبوب وهذا ما هو مطلوب من الأب، وهذا ما فعله مع الجميع
محمد جابر
“Ammo Hares to me was not just a friend’s father, but rather like a father. He was involved in our lives, and we shared things with him that we didn't necessarily share with our friends. He accompanied us throughout our teenage years as if we were his sons. When I was a teenager, my uncle, who raised me, passed away, and his loss was very painful to me. That day, Ammo Hares sent me a letter of condolence. When you read the thoughtful, wise, and comforting words from someone of your father's age, knowing what he had suffered in his life, the condolences become extra special. He was an exceptional man, and his presence in my life taught me a lot, especially the way that he dealt with his illness, which also surprised the doctors. He encouraged his children to endure; when he didn’t have any energy, he still had the energy to love. Losing him was like losing my own father, who had passed away a few months before him. Ammo Hares affected all of us in many ways, and his passing left a large gap in our lives. It's hard for me to express my feelings about him. We usually appreciate people for what they did and forget to appreciate people for what they didn't do. Ammo Hares did not harm anyone in his life, did not stand in the way of anyone's happiness, did not intrude on anyone, and did not judge anyone. Instead, he listened calmly and lovingly. He only shared his wisdom and opinion if asked for. His mere presence made you feel accepted and loved, and that's what is required of a father. This is what he did for everyone."
Mohammed Jaber
Khaled El Dabbagh
Moustapha, Ihab, Bilal, Walid, Mazen
Khaled El Dabbagh
كانت لعمو حارس القدرة على أن ينسيك همومك بمجرّد جلوسه قربك. يحب أولاده ويدلّلهم إلى أبعد حدود ويسمح لهم بالقيام بسفرات وبرحلات وينظمها لهم ولنا بحماس مراهق. لم يكن أبداً الـcool dad ، بل كانت لديه قوانينه وشروطه لكن انفتاحه وكرمه العاطفي تجاهنا، نحن أصحاب أولاده، كان يجعله بمثابة أب ثانٍ وقدوة بالنسبة لنا
لم أره مستاءً أو غاضباً رغم الحرب ورغم كونه أباً وحيداً مع ثلاثة أولاد. لم يدخن أو يشرب أو يلعب الورق، ولم يضع نفسه أبداً في مركز الأشياء إنما بقي دائماً على هامشها، يراقب ولا يحكم، يحلل ولا يُرشد. كان محتشماً، لائقاً وأنيقاً، في كل تصرفاته. لم يكن ثرياً لكنه بدا كأن لا شيء ينقصه، لا بل بدا كأن لديه ما يعطيك. وكان بالتأكيد صاحب مبادئ ويرى الأمور "أسود وأبيض"، لديه آراء في الحياة وفي الأخلاقيات وفي السياسة، وفي الوقت ذاته كان رزيناً في تعبيره عنها ولم يحاول فرض آرائه أبداً
حين مرض وأتى إلى واشنطن، كان صعباً عليّ أن أقابله. لم أرد أن أراه بهذه الحالة، لم أرد أن أراه يتعذب. كنت مرتبكاً كثيراً وحزيناً جداً، وحين ذهنا لرؤيته أنا ومحمد جابر لاقانا بابتسامته المعهودة، وراح يواسينا. من غير المعقول أن تكون على حافة الموت وأن تغمر من هم حولك بابتسامة مشعة لتسهيل الأمور عليهم. كان ذلك مؤثراً جداً بالنسبة لنا، وهو نجا بمعجزة من المرض على كل حال. كان عمو حارس رجلاً وأباً فريداً بكل المعاني
خالد الدباغ
“Ammo Hares could make you forget your troubles just by sitting with you. He loved his children, and was lenient with them, allowing them to travel and go on trips. He would also organize trips for us with the enthusiasm of an adolescent. He wasn’t the cool dad in any sense; he had his rules and conditions, but his openness and support for us, his children’s friends, made him a father figure to us. I never saw him despondent or angry, despite the war and being a single father to three children. He didn’t smoke, drink, or play cards, and he never put himself in the center of things, preferring to stay at the peripherals, to watch without judging, to analyze without advising. He was certainly principled, and he saw things in black and white. He had his opinions on life, morality, and politics. At the same time, he was balanced in the way he expressed these opinions and never tried to force others to accept his views. When he got sick and came to Washington, it was difficult for me to go meet him. I didn’t want to see him in that condition, to see him suffering. I was extremely confused and heartbroken, and it was hard for me to force myself to see him. When Mohammed Jaber and I went to visit him, he greeted us with his usual smile and comforted us. It is unthinkable to be on the verge of death and to embrace those around you with a radiant smile in order to make things easier for them. It was very moving for us, and, in any case, he miraculously survived the disease. Ammo Hares was a unique man and father in every sense.”
Khaled El Dabbagh
Moustapha, Ihab, Bilal, Walid, Mazen
Moustapha, Ihab, Bilal, Walid, Mazen
Moustapha, Ihab, Bilal, Walid, Mazen
"He welcomed us in his home, a group of mischievous boys, so we could play and enjoy while the war was on-going outside. He made us feel very comfortable, although his mere presence compelled us to respect him. In his house, we discussed amongst ourselves things that we hid from our own parents. He would listen to us without intruding. He only interjected when one of us offended another; that he could not tolerate. Even then, he would only reprimand us with a look, a stare from which we understood that we had made a mistake. He sat next to us as we played together, watching us and laughing. Our joy was his joy. He was affectionate and friendly, enjoying our stories that we sometimes repeated hundreds of times, laughing at them hundreds of times. And he would always laugh with us. Sometimes he organized trips for us, and he encouraged us to take adventures. He had his rules, of course, but it seemed to us that, with him, everything was permitted. He opened the door and greeted us with his smile, which embraced us, making us feel like we were with our own fathers. Whenever one of us got in trouble, he could surely turn to Ammo Hares. He was a father and a genuine role model to all of us.”
Walid Sarieddine, Mazen Chamas, Moustapha Anouty, Ihab Ayoub, Bilal Fakhoury
From Samer
A letter of gratitude - October 2017
Thank you, dad. Thank you for being my dad.
It is so unfortunate how on this earth people are labeled by their race, religion, ethnic origin, social status, or otherwise. If such labels did not exist, you would be considered, in the eyes of everyone who knows you, the Saint of Saints, a unique person with incredible capabilities, a blessing to humanity in general, and to us, your children and grandchildren and family in particular.
Thank you, dad. Thank you Hares Halawi, or Guardien Sucré as you have been labeled by my friends who consider you their dad too.
Thank you, dad, for being dad, and for being mom as well for the last 32 years. Thank you, dad, for being my best friend, my source of inspiration, my beacon of light, and most importantly my rock of strength.
Thank you, dad, for fighting your colon cancer, against all odds, and against all the predictions of all those top world doctors, who gave you no hope, not knowing who you were, or what you are made of. Because of your fight, you gave us an extended life, one that not only we can enjoy, but one that will allow us to continue giving, providing, caring for, and loving our families.
You have given us so much, and you keep on giving. You have put all of us ahead of yourself.
Thank you for being the most selfless person in the word. Thank you for your continuous words of encouragement. Thank you for the positivity you inject every day in each of us. Thank you for the love that you keep giving that is so intoxicating.
Thank you for raising me with the values that you have. You allow me to instill those in my family. Thank you for putting me through school and putting up with me when I was misbehaving. Thank you for teaching me a lesson when at 13, I stole the car keys and wrecked it, and you simply asked me if I were ok, and that you were only hurt because I went behind your back. Thank you for buying me such an awesome boom box when I was 14, and when we could not really afford it. This boom box remains the best present I have ever received.
Thank you for allowing me to travel with the boy scouts to Cyprus. It has grown me. Thank you for trusting me to drive when your leg was hurt, I have learned how to be a driver who kept his family safe for years on the roads. Thank you for buying me a small car when we barely had money to survive, you kept me confident. Thank you for allowing me to travel away from home for college when you needed me, your eldest, to take care of my siblings. Thank you for borrowing money to allow me to pay for my 1st year’s tuition. Thank you for writing me letters when I was so far away and did not have the money to call international, you kept me close. Thank you for coming to my graduations.
Thank you for answering my call to come to the US when no one gave you hope to survive. Thank you for fighting the disease and showing me how you can fight taking life in stride. Thank you for supporting my decisions in life, for embracing and loving my wife and my daughter. Thank you for giving me the best siblings in the word. Thank you for teaching us honor and loyalty, and embracing the memory of mom, as you have never taken out your wedding ring, even after so many years. Thank you for being the best example anyone would aspire to. Thank you for your continued fight and will to live, love, and be happy.
Thank you for being a superhuman, a true man of steel. Thank you for being you. And most importantly, thank you for being my dad!
I am the luckiest son in the world. I love you immensely and beyond what words can describe.
Samer
Letter from Rami's Friends
كم نشتاق لابتسامتك، تلك الابتسامة الحاضرة في كل مناسبة. في الفرح كما في الحزن. في الأوقات الحلوة كما في الأوقات المرة. كانت رفيقتك الدائمة. كنت تتألم مبتسما. وتحزن مبتسما. وما أدرانا، قد كنت تبكي مبتسماً.لطالما تساءلنا عن سرّها. هل هو صبرك الذي قلّ مثيله؟ هل هو اليقين بالآتي؟ أم أنها الطمأنينة التي ملأت قلبك؟ قد لا نعلم أبدا. لقد فارقتنا دون البوح بالكثير من الأسرار. غادرتنا بهدوء. غادرتنا مبتسماً. عباس قانصو، رشاد الشامي، كريم مصور، باسل دباغ، مازن أبو شقرا، عامر اللادقي
Reflections from Rami
كم كنت بخيلاً يا حارس
بخيلاً على ملبسك لتكرمني بالجديد منه
بخيلاً على مأكلك لتكرمني بما اشتهيت من طعام
بخيلاً على صحتك لتكرمني بالدواء
بخيلاً على راحتك لتكرمني السهر على مرضي
بخيلاً على رفاهيتكك لتكرمني السفر والاستجمام
بخيلاً على آلامك لتكرمنا شروق ضحكة ليس لها مثيل
بخيلاً على أحزانك لتكرمنا الإجابية وعزة النفس
بخيلاً على حياتك الدنيا لتكرمنا راحتنا الجسدية والنفسية
عشت ومت بخيلاً على نفسك لتكرِّم كل من حولك! عشت ومت بوقفة عز
يا ليتني اتعلم بخلك علّني أقلّد قيمك وشيمك ما حييت
مع حبي كما كنت تختم كل كلماتك لنا
رامي
"Every Sunday he used to come to our house, bringing manakeesh for the kids. Even when he was out of the country, we would find the manakeesh there at breakfast on Sundays. Later, we found out that, before his trip, he would ask the bakery to send them every Sunday. When he became sick and couldn’t send them anymore himself, he had them delivered to our house. After Baba passed away, Zouzou, our maternal aunt, decided to carry on with the tradition. Now, as far as the kids are concerned, Jeddo is still sending them the manakeesh, through Zouzou." - Rami
"Kids liked to eat from his plate. He pretended not to see so they don’t stop." - Rami
"Never in his life did he come close to a dog, never did he touch one. He used to hate dogs. But when I got Shocho, he put him on his lap and petted him, just because he was my dog." - Rami
Reflections
"Jeddo used to have the airplane keychain and a pen that he always kept in his pocket and when he carried us, his grandchildren, we used to take them all." - Aya, Khaled, Zein
"Even though his most common “msabbeh” was yel3an abouk, when we had kids he got used to telling them “yel3an jeddak” so he doesn’t involve us in the msabbeh." - Rami
"I traveled to Spain in April 2003 and Dad came to Dubai to watch over Khaled (he was 4yrs old). He took him with him to the supermarket. And while dad was leaning over trying to get the good tomatoes from the back of the stack, Khaled pushed him and he fell over the tomatoes. Instead of getting angry at Khaled for pushing him in public, he started laughing non-stop. And every time he told the story, he laughed so hard."
"Khaled used to write some good stuff, and Dad had gathered every single piece of Khaled’s writing in a folder. His file was more complete than mine!" - Hania
“When Zein was a toddler, he used to sometimes skip washing hands after using the toilet. Dad saw him once, and instead of just asking him to do it, he called Khaled and told him: “because you are a good boy and you always wash your hands after using the toilet, I will buy you chocolate”. Hearing this, Zein immediately went and washed his hands. Dad never enforced his rules or imposed behaviors onto his children and grandchildren. He understood kids' mentality and dealt with them according to their own understanding of things. When we were kids and we asked questions about our studies, he used to tell us to look it up in the dictionary or encyclopedia (at a time where Google was non-existent), because, as he explained, the information would be better retained if we look it up ourselves. This is actually what is currently being taught at schools, where self-learning is replacing teaching.” - Hania
"I want to tell u guys that I love you all so much. Despite the intensity, the past few days were healing to me and I pray to all of you as well. At first, I found it strange to be amongst this gathering without having Huhu with us. He used to love these reunions, the love, the buzz, the children and the food. I would find myself scanning the room for him expecting to hear his laughter, which still rings in my ears. Then miraculously I started seeing him in each of you. In Hania’s radiant face. In Samer’s strength and smile. In Rami’s determination and calm. I now understand the true meaning of: "اللي خلَّف ما مات" Oh, how proud Huhu must be now, seeing you all like this! There is no higher fulfillment for a father. The irony is that even in his passing, he is a role model! It is a real joy for me to see the three of you. I cannot even imagine how happy and fulfilled you have made him. I am very thankful, proud and blessed to have had him like a father and to have you as my brothers and soul mate; Rami, Samer and Hania. And to my sisters, Serine and Yasmina, I love you both dearly. I pray we stay as close as we are forever. May God rest Huhu’s soul with Dalal and may they live peacefully in heaven enjoying every second of your lives. May God give you peace and contentment knowing they are well so you can carry and spread Huhu’s ever glowing face and smile to everyone around u. Your loving brother... and soulmate." - Walid
"At the beginning of the July 2006 War, Dad, Aya, and I were in Beirut, along with Hania and her family. Samer was very worried about us and decided to come from Dubai through Jordan to take us back with him. But at the time I had just been assigned a new project in Beirut and wanted to stay there for the summer break, so I convinced myself that the war would soon end and that I should stay. I refused to accompany them and told them to go without me. We had a big argument and, in the end, Samer told me, “let it be, I’m going.” Dad immediately followed me into my room and cried in front of me for the first time, telling me, “you want me to go and leave you here to die?” Of course, this sentence was enough to convince me to pack my bags and leave with them." - Rami
"I once stole the car and I was under 18 at the time. Baba was at a wedding and Hania was sleeping, and I assumed that he wouldn’t be back till 11 or 12 pm. It was around 8 pm, so I took it and went for a ride with my friends, without a driver’s license, of course. When I came back, I saw that he was home. I met him at the door of the elevator. I was coming in, and he was going out to look for me… So he asked me, “Where were you?” I told him that I had taken the car and bought some food. He didn’t believe me, of course, but he didn’t say anything, scold me, or yell at me. He just gave me a look, a look that taught me never to steal the car again."
"One day, Baba scolded me. I don’t remember the reason anymore. So I went to my room and murmured “Yelaan abook/ Damn your father,” assuming that he wouldn’t hear me. He called me and said, “Shooo? You’re cursing at me?” I told him, no, I hit my foot on the bed and was saying ‘damn your father’ to the bed.” Of course, he knew I was lying, but he pretended to believe me and smiled."
- Rami
"My friends and I decided once to rent a chalet in Aqua Marina. We were in the first or second year of university. When we got there, we learned that we needed our parents’ sponsorship. None of my friends’ parents would agree to sponsor them, so Dad took us and told the management that the four of us were his kids and that he would like to sponsor us."
- Rami
Reflections
“I was traveling once from Beirut to Bodrum, was sitting in my seat when unexpectedly one of the flight attendants came and asked me to confirm if I’m Yasmina Halawi - I didn’t understand what was happening. Then I was told the pilot wants to see me. It took me a minute to figure out what’s going on. Turns out Ammo Hares had arranged for me to sit in the cockpit for the landing! Given his history and network in the industry he made this happen for me. I had no idea it was coming. It was an amazing surprise and an awesome experience! So thoughtful and fun of him to arrange this for me. I will cherish this memory and the fun excitement and joy it brought me forever!” - Yasmina
"When we were kids, dad used to take me and Samer to the CASC (Civil Aviation Safety Center) which had a big garden to play there. He used to also let us ride the simulator, and this left in us a love for flying planes. The CASC was targeted by the Israeli planes in 1982 and fully destroyed. This made Dad very sad. He was very attached to it." - Hania
"In 1990 when I was traveling back from spending 2 weeks in Beirut to the USA I had two of my best friends with me. We were on a 747 from Beirut to London, and dad arranged for us to sit on the upper deck which was only business class. It was only us. What a blast for 3 young men! Then he arranged for me to be in the cockpit for landing in Heathrow, what an experience landing in London Heathrow in a 747 for a 20-year-old!" - Samer
Passion for Giving
Hares shared his sons’, Rami and Samer, passion for basketball. He went to every game and motivated them as though he were their coach. Every one of their successful wins was a victory for him. Even after Samer went to America, he used to wake up at four o’clock in the morning so that he could watch the game on TV at the same time as Samer, who was on the other side of the world. But he was not satisfied with that; he later continued this tradition with his grandchildren, Aya, Khaled, and Zein, whose games he would watch when he traveled to Dubai. There, he helped Hania buy groceries and bought (in secret) a lot of chocolate for the kids. He babysat them when their parents went out or traveled, driving them to school, sometimes taking them on trips, and watching children's shows with them. Of course, Hares did not forget to read stories to them and sit on the ground with them, which was not easy for him. He, as usual, didn’t care for his own comfort, his happiness stemming from bringing joy to others. When he visited them in Dubai, he accompanied his children wherever they went, whether it was to a restaurant, a concert, or, sometimes, on their visits to friends' homes. There, he did not let anyone notice his presence. He was calm. He was happy to be with them, and everyone was comforted by his being among them.
Superpositiveman
His voice calmed and soothed everyone. Though Hares was a strong believer with solid faith, he was not a religious practitioner. He believed in a loving god. He had faith in humanity and the power of love, which he believed helps us to overcome all of our challenges. His advice was limited to issues that made him concerned for us, never telling us how to act or what decision to make. Despite his illnesses, he never complained or dwelt on a dream he wished to realize. He never spoke about his pain, his desires, or disappointments… He never lost his love for life or gave up on his pursuit of happiness. Even in moments of long silence, those who were with him did not feel that he was sad or lonely. We wouldn't know if he was sad, for even then, he would say that he was well.