Nazem M. Bashir. (Rest in Peace)

Two weeks ago, on Tuesday December 13, my elder brother, Nazem felt pain in his chest and fell. He was rushed to the hospital but did not make it. He passed away in the afternoon of that day.

He was in Liberia, one of the few countries he went to seeking work. He was one of the thousands of young Lebanese who left their families and country to find work elsewhere. Why?... because of the absurd sectarian, pseudo-feudal, God-knows-what economic and political system we have here.

He was larger than life, very active, optimistic, fun loving and compassionate. Nothing could make him feel low. Only death did. He was 47. It is difficult to write about him in the past tense.

He loved life because he loved freedom.
His body fell but his spirit engraved itself on this world.
His memory lives on through his two children and those who love him.

On his tombstone is inscribed:

ناظم محمد بشـير

ء 23 تشرين الثاني 1958 - 13 كانون الأول 2005 ء

أحب الحياة لأنه أحب الحرية
وأحب الموت متى كان الموت طريقا للحياة

سقط جسده لكن نفسه
فرضت حقيقتها على هذا الوجود
ولن تزول
فالحياة له هي كلها

وقفة عز فقط