From Edmonton to Chouaya: A Journey of Remembrance and Honour
As we journey through life, we are often called to reflect on where we've come from and where we're headed. Over 10 years ago I embarked on a journey, both physical and spiritual, from Edmonton to Chouya, a village in South Lebanon. The reason for my journey was a solemn one: to lay my father to rest.
Edmonton had been our home, a city nestled in the heart of Alberta, the city which held a sacred place in my fathers heart. It's where my father chose to raise us, far away from the olive groves and the pine trees that framed his childhood in Chouaya. He always carried a piece of Lebanon in his heart, a piece that eventually carried me on this profound journey.
The trip was a testament to perseverance, much like my father's life. It was long and winding, full of grief, heart ache, uncertainty, and self reflection. I flew away from the shores of Canada’s Atlantic, underneath the Aurora Borealis, and into the ancient and rugged beauty of Lebanon.
In Chouaya, my father’s life seemed to echo in every corner of the village. It was in the white cap of Jabal Al Sheikh, in the heartwarming smiles of the people, and in the olive groves that dotted the hills around his land. As I laid my father to rest, I felt an overwhelming sense of connection, a link between past, present, and future. It was as if the roots of the olive trees had stories to tell, stories of our ancestors, their struggles, their dreams, and their enduring hope.
Travelling to Chouaya reminded me of the importance of honouring our past. My father's life, his values, and his love for his homeland were etched deep into the bedrock of his being. He passed these on to me, not as a burden, as I had believed when I was younger, but as a lantern to light my path, to remind me of who I am, and where I come from. And now, as he rests in his ancestral land, he became a bridge between the old world and the new, between Lebanon and Canada, between past and present.
The most profound lesson from this journey, however, was understanding what it means to live a full life. My father, despite the distances he had travelled and the hardships he faced, lived his life to the fullest. His was a life brimming with joy, hope, and promise. It was enriched with deep relationships, imbued with a love for his culture, and committed to gratitude, resilience, and growth.
When I journeyed back to Edmonton, I carried with me more than just memories; I held an enriched understanding of my roots, a renewed commitment to honour my past, and a deeper insight into living life fully.
As my father now rests on the land of his beloved Chouaya, I am reminded that we are all part of a larger journey, one that goes beyond our individual lives, a journey of honour, perseverance, gratitude and love.
This journey formed the basis of my debut book, You’re Already Dead. Coming soon. Thank you for reading.
