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George Hurley and his petite blonde wife Rebecca never saw eye to eye. They had been married for ten years but their union was always turbulent. They quarreled practically every day and neighbours heard their shouts and accusations even during the night. George and Rebecca Hurley’s marriage was definitely not a happy affair.

They had two children; a boy and girl, now five and six respectively. Neighbours wondered how they found time to make love. “Probably”, some said ironically, “they must have been drunk at the time!” Others said that maybe both children were the result of Rebecca’s many extra-marital affairs.

It was undeniably true that while George was at work, Rebecca was entertaining other men. This was no secret as practically everybody in town knew of her exploits. As also did her husband, of course. She did not hide what she was doing and did not care a penny who knew of her love affairs.

One day Rebecca was reported missing. She was not seen for a whole week while her husband continued as if nothing had happened. She was reported missing not by her husband but by the neighbours. When questioned by the Police, George told them that it was not the first time that she walked out of the house and returned some days later. He also told them that he was glad to have got rid of her. But the Police were not convinced. They continued with their investigations to see what had happened to Rebecca Hurley. They discovered that George had told his children, when they had asked him about their mummy, that she has gone away and maybe would not return back.

Neighbours reported to the Police that George had made a large bonfire in his back-garden where they saw him burn Rebecca’s clothes. Furthermore, the Police also learned that someone with a detailed knowledge of the missing woman’s bank accounts had forged her signature and took everything out of her savings accounts. The Police found that George had tapped the telephone at home to record conversations between Rebecca and her lovers. The Police inspector questioned him thoroughly. They told him that they knew that his wife had a string of lovers and was a bad wife. “We can understand that sometimes pressure like that can drive a man to murder,” he told George. But he denied murder or that he knew what happened to his wife.

George Hurley, who had a history of poor health and heart ailments, never faltered once during the long sessions of interrogations. Although they pressed him, the Police did not want to use excessive pressure because of his health condition. The Police dug out his garden and searched his bungalow and surroundings in an attempt to find the body but they did not find any clues whatsoever. They knew that circumstantial evidence pointed directly at him – the frequent quarrels; the fact that he did not report her missing; that he told his children that their mother would not return; that he burned her clothes in the garden; that his wife’s bank accounts were withdrawn by an unknown person with intimate knowledge of her particulars.

But where was the body? Unless the Police found the body and examined it for clues like fingerprints, they would have difficulty in putting up a case of murder against him. But they did not lose heart. They went to the bungalow again. They ripped the floorboard, probed the brickwork for hidden cavities, scanned the gardens around the house using tracker dogs and plugged lakes, streams and ponds in the vicinity. They interrogated him repeatedly hoping that he would finally break down and admit to the murder. But they did not find anything and he did not admit. George had told the Police that she had walked out of the house and he did not know where she was. In the circumstances, the Police through newspapers, television and radio, issued calls for her or for people who might have seen her, to contact them immediately. But they failed to produce any response either from the missing woman or from people who might have seen her. The Police were therefore convinced that she was murdered and her body was hidden somewhere. 

After three months, George Hurley could not stand it any longer. He was under continuous pressure from the Police and shunned by his neighbours. Everybody was convinced that he had murdered Rebecca. No, he did not admit to the murder but he died of a heart attack. The murder inquiry on Rebecca Hurley was closed, the Police case file was marked ‘suspect deceased’.

George Burley’s funeral after the ceremony was carried out in a quiet chapel outside the town. The police saw no useful purpose to attend. They never saw the wreath besides his coffin with the strange message – “Have a nice flight to Paradise George – R.”
When the funeral service was over, the last prayers said, the earth sprinkled on top of the coffin, the stone slabs laid down and the grave closed and sealed, none of the few people present noticed the petite blonde woman across the road who, with a broad smile on her face, turned and went away.

I looked forward to meeting my two friends Shirley and Norma at the restaurant on the High Street this morning. I put on my favourite red knee-length dress, my pearl ear- rings and matching necklace and looked in the mirror. I liked my appearance.

It was a reunion lunch. We did it every year for the last five years. Each one of us recounting what happened to her during the past twelve months. We would talk about our children, our grand children, our likes and dislikes. We would bring back memories of long years past. We would enjoy being together another year.

We had met for the first time at St. Mary’s Hospital in London – there was also Sally – while we were having treatment for breast cancer. We were together during the long-suffering ordeal – surgery, ward patient, hospital visits and recuperation. All four of us gave encouragement and hope to each other. We had cried and laughed together. We held hands when the end of the road seemed to be near. We laughed when things looked brighter and we seemed to be winning. We were there for each other. And we survived!

We had all four of us met for lunch every year, since our discharge from hospital five years ago. But this year we would be three. We would miss Sally. She had been the life and soul of the group. She was always recounting some funny story, or cracking  a joke, or waving her hands in dramatic fashion. She was the conductor during these lunches. It was the first year that we would be meeting without her. She would definitely be missed, terribly missed this year.

An image of her face filled my mind – blue eyes, blonde hair, rosy cheeks, upturned nose – a jovial, laughing face which would make all around her happy. “Keep your chin up” she would say to any of us who were passing through a rough patch. I was amazed how she could joke about even the darkest of things. That was Sally.

We had promised that, rain or shine, we would try to make this reunion every year. For old time’s sake. For becoming friends when we needed so much love, comfort, encouragement and understanding. We gave all of these to each other as we battled with that life-threatening disease. And we survived!

Shirley and Norma were waiting at the restaurant when I arrived – Shirley with her white wide-brimmed hat on her head and several bangles around her wrists, and Norma the quite one, looking prim and proper, always listening and smiling in agreement, but always positive. Shirley, Norma and I all had different characters. But Sally, bless her, had the best character of us all. She always used to make us laugh.

The place had started to fill up around us. The waitress bustled over for our order. “Are you waiting for someone else?” she said looking at the empty place. I shook my head but when she moved to clear the extra cutlery I stopped her. “Please could you leave them?” The waitress looked puzzled but nodded and left.

For the next half hour we talked on this, that and the other. We brought ourselves up to date with each other’s life during this past year. As I looked with pride at my two friends, I could not help but think how lucky we all were. That bad experience of the past had bonded us together like childhood friends.

After we had eaten, we ordered champagne as was our custom at the end of the meal. “Could we have four glasses please?” I asked the puzzled waitress. “What are you celebrating?” she asked us as she laid out the glasses and then, at my request, put the fourth glass in front of the empty space.

It was Shirley who spoke in her exuberant melodious voice. “We are celebrating being alive. We’re all survivors of breast cancer, you see. We met for the first time in hospital and went through our treatment together.”

“We encourage each other. Each year we get together and celebrate another bonus year”, I added. “This is our fifth year” put in Norma. The waitress looked at us, admiration on her face now. “That’s amazing”, she exclaimed. Then she looked at the empty chair, the unused cutlery and the empty champagne glass. “Oh I’m very sorry, I ……..” She broke off, clearly did not know what to say.

I looked at my two smiling friends, then at the bewildered waitress and said. “Sally got married and emigrated to Canada last year. She could not make it this year but we hope that she would join us again next year. We promised that we would always save a place for her.”

It was at that moment that Shirley made a toast. “To our dear friend Sally, whatever she’s doing, wherever she is, wishing you good health, see you next year!”  

minn Joseph Henry Abela, Qassis

It-toroq iżjed ma jkunu meħlusin minn gandotti, karozzi weqfin, inċidenti, protesti, u bejjiegħa weqfin f’kantuniera iżjed in-nies jiltaqgħu.

Inqas nervi, għadab u ġenn u l-kotra tas-sewwieqa jkunu f’sikkithom. Imma f’moħħna jrid ikollna li hemm sewwieqa oħrajn. Hemm sewwieq iżomm max-xellug u l-ieħor li ġej bil-maqlub jagħmel l-istess, jista’ jkun hemm wisgħa f’nofs it-triq biex tgħaddi, ambulanza jew karozza tal-pulizija jew ħaddieħor li jrid jasal l-isptar.

Jekk ma taħsibx minn qabel tista’ teħel. Hemm żebgħa fl-art fit-triq biex ma tieqafx fuqha, kaxxa safra waħda minnhom, oħrajn il-faxxi bojod tal-passiġieri jew kaxxa safra merfugħa għal min għandu diżabilita. Il-mitt xejn qatlu ħmar.

Forsi wasal il-waqt li tagħlim u t-tagħrif fuq il-karozza, fuq sewqan bil-karozza jibda jsir minn għaxar snin sa ħmistax-il sena. B’hekk regoli u mġieba jkunu daħlu żgur fil-moħħ u nħarsu bosta ħajjiet ta’ sewwieqa u passiġieri.

written by Fiona Vella

China’s art sector is probably one of the most dynamic today since Chinese artists are constantly re-imagining the boundaries of art as they question their country’s role in the world. These artistic works can be viewed in the several popular art districts, key galleries and museums which are located in various areas around China.

751D Park – Beijing

I had thought that a visit to Beijing would only comprise an itinerary to historical sites. Therefore, this bustling contemporary art centre proved to be quite a surprise.

Having been transformed from an industrial plant into an artistic hub, 751D Park boasts an area of 40,000 square metres and is now a very renowned area for art lovers. Its distinguished Bauhaus-style architecture has succeeded to blend harmoniously with the places’s new character which now houses many art galleries, bookshops, cafes and restaurants.

Although I am not an avid art enthusiast, a stroll around the various shops and art exhibitions of this park served as a portal to another facet of China and its culture. Each outlet provided the opportunity to discover and purchase works of unique styles, original designs and ultimate creativity.

Liu Fei – An enchanting war (1) – Photo by Fiona VellaI was particularly captivated by Liu Fei’s artistic exhibition named ‘An Enchanting War’. The artist described his sharp creations as his contemplation of future wars. Through them, he attempted to engage in social and political life in order to express his distaste and criticism on war. His main theme examined whether future warfare would be a performance of pretences? In his strong and bizarre artworks, there was no boundary between beauty and ugliness, and violence and contention were combined cruelly.

The National Art Museum of China – Beijing

The National Art Museum of China is dedicated to collection, research and exhibitions of modern and contemporary artistic works in China. Although this structure started to be constructed in 1958 and was open to the public in 1963, its architecture features the traditional Chinese style as the main building is roofed with yellow glazed tiles and surrounded by corridors and pavilions.

This museum covers an area of more than 18,000 square meters and it includes 17 exhibition halls throughout its 5 storeys. It prides itself with more than 100,000 pieces of various collections, most of which are representative works of different periods and great artworks of Chinese art masters from the end of the 19th century till today.

Artist Liu Xia besides her work at the National Art Museum of China – Photo by Fiona VellaSince its establishment, this national museum has organized thousands of various artistic exhibitions which reflect the development of Chinese art. These activities have attracted millions of visitors each year and so this museum has also served as a significant platform for the artists involved.

During my visit, amongs its selection of expositions, this museum was holding the exhibition ‘Beautiful China: Call of Humanism’ which entailed the First National Fine Art Exhibition to help the disabled. The ensemble of 200 pieces of artworks included masterpieces of top artists of the contemporary art world,as well as works of disabled calligraphers and painters. Funds from the sales of these artworks were collected in order to assist the needs of the thousands of disabled Chinese individuals.

M50 – Shanghai

50 Moganshan Road or M50 art district as it is more popularly known, was a former textile mill in central Shanghai which has now been converted into a major zone of artistic galleries and exhibition spaces.

This quarter started to become popular with artists in the year 2000 when the first individuals were initially attracted by the cheap rent of the disused industrial space. Soon, other artists followed suit and nowadays this complex has become known for its trendy and high art quality.

Outdoor sculptures at 751D Park – Photo by Fiona VellaArt lovers who visit this place get a chance to enjoy and purchase some fantastic and unusual works directly from the artists themselves. The allure of this zone lies in the variety of displayed works using several mediums.Prices range from affordable to really expensive but one is expected to negotiate.

Popular with both local and international visitors, this art quarter is unpretentious but interesting and often thought provoking. Amongst the wide selection of creations, it is engaging to notice also some works of a rebellious nature.

(This article was published in the Travel, Leisure and Food Supplement in the Sunday Times of Malta dated 15 March 2015)

Ħajjitna tiġbor ħolm, stħajjil, ħsibijiet, xewqat, kilbiet, ħlewwiet, imrar, dieqa, hena u stennija – kollha stampi żgħar li jgħaqqdu xbieha kbira.

Jista’ jkollna qrusa għax ma rnexxejniex f’li xtaqna u ninsabu ssikkati meta kieku konna ferħana.

Il-kokka ’l uliedha tara l-isbaħ, u fil-ħajja moħħok jgħinek iżżid jew ifixklek. Tħallix lil moħħok jgħasrek imma ntelaq u ħadmu moħħok. Jekk għadek ma fhimtx, fittex kemm kemm lil EPICURUS (Twieled 341 BC u miet 270 BC), filosofu li jagħtik tagħrif li jista jkun ta’ siwi.

Ħajtek tifhimha meta aktarx tħares lura. Bħalissa madwarek tara ċaflis maż-żmien joqgħod kollox, u tibda tara li rnexxejt int ukoll mhux kif ħsibt imma aħjar!  

After thirty years in the land of the maple leaf, John was returning back to his roots, the isle of Calypso. It was a cold January evening as the ‘Malita’ ferry boat cut through the waves across the channel between the two little islands. The sea was relatively calm, the sun was hiding behind the clouds and some seagulls were hovering overhead.

Thirty years! His first visit since he had emigrated at the age of 25. His name was then Ganni. He had worked hard, did not indulge in any luxuries and took great care of his money. As a result he was now a relatively wealthy man. He was still a bachelor. He had dated several girls, had short relations with some others, but he never married. Maybe he was looking for the perfect woman. Maybe he did not thrust these sophisticated and independent Canadian girls. But there was a nice and gentle lady he wanted so much to see in Gozo and for whom he still carried a flame in his heart. She was, in truth, the only one he never forgot throughout his years away from his beloved island. He recalled seeing her the day he left for Canada. He remembered the loving smile on her face. His separation from her was the only thing that made his departure from the island difficult to bear. But it had to be done. There was no other choice. He could see no prospects on the little island and, on the other hand, there were new opportunities of work in the new land.

For thirty whole years he had carried a small photo of her in his wallet. How often had he looked at it with admiration, and how many times had he showed it to his friends with pride? The photo had now become tattered and yellowish with the years but he could still see her lovely smiling face on it. Now, after all those years, John was looking with anticipation to see her once again. The boat was full up with passengers, mostly Gozitans returning home from work. John bought a coffee and two ‘pastizzi’ from the cafeteria on board and sat down on a chair looking through the glass windows eager to get the first glimpse of Gozo. He intended to buy a house in his home town of Nadur and pass his retirement years in peace and quiet. His friends had told him that many returning migrants had proudly named their house for their country of adoption – Uncle Sam, Stars and Stripes, USA, Maple Leaf, Canada, Niagara, Down Under, Waltzing Matilda and so forth. But he had other ideas for the name of his house.
His roving mind took him back to the place he had just left – Canada. The little bungalow not far from the Dundas area where Maltese still met regularly, eating ‘pastizzi’ and ‘qassatat’ bought from the Maltese Bakery Shop. When they met in the afternoons, they still talked about Malta and Gozo, about the patron saints of their towns and villages, about the relatives and neighbours they had left behind.

“May I use this chair?” asked a young man. “Of course, no problem” replied John as he looked at the youth holding a cup of coffee in his hands. “Is the boat always full at this time?” asked John. “Yes. Most Gozitans working in Malta are now returning back home for the weekend” replied the young man. They struck a conversation and John learned much about new developments taking place in Gozo. “Where are you from?” asked the young man. “I was born in Gozo but have lived in Canada these last thirty years. In fact this is my first visit since,” replied John. “Canada?” exclaimed the young man. “It is so far away I would never dream of going there. You see, I am afraid of flying, afraid that the plane would crash!”
“Nonsense,” replied John. “God won’t let you die in a plane crash if He means you to die of some other thing.” The youth looked at the older man in a pensive way and said – “But that’s the rub friend. I won’t know what God has in mind for me!”

As the ferry approached Mgarr harbour both men prepared to go below. They shook hands, wished each other ‘good luck’ and separated. John could see, even from a distance, how his little island had changed. Then as it berthed in port, he took his bags, went through the new terminal, hailed a taxi and went straight to his rented accommodation in Nadur. All the time he noted the widened and smooth tarmaced roads, the roundabouts with multi-coloured flowers and landscaping all around.
He woke up on Saturday morning feeling fine and brisk. He’ll be meeting her today, the lady who was always on his mind during his long absence from Gozo. He went to ‘Piazza San Pietru u San Pawl’, the centre of activity in the town. He phoned a taxi and gave the driver directions. When he arrived at the destination, he paid the taxi-driver and looked around him.

He walked over to the majestic and imposing baroque church, went inside, kept to the left of the colonnades and headed straight towards the area behind the main altar. Even though it was January, he was sweating with anticipation and excitement. And then he saw her – Il-Madonna ta Pinu! The gentle Lady was wrapped in a blue cloak and a silver crown above her head. He went down on his knees and prayed as he had never prayed before – thanking her for keeping him safe all those years he had been away from his beloved island of Gozo.  

minn Charles B. Spiteri

Bl-iskuża li jżomm il-fergħat tiegħu miftuħin il-ħin kollu, il-Bank Barclays ħabbar li se jagħlaq uħud mill-fergħat tiegħu u jiftaħ uffiċini fis-supermerkati Asda.

Tmienja minnhom se jaraw din il-qalba tul is-sena d-dieħla u oħrajn aktar tard; hekk kif beħsiebhom jagħmlu Banek oħra.

Għalkemm b’din iċ-ċaqlieqa, Barclays se jdaħħal fortuna; għax ikun jista’ jinnegozja l-bini li minnu kien jaħdem; ħafna mill-klijenti leali se jieħdu daqqa ta’ ħarta.

Barra minn hekk se jintlaqtu ħażin ukoll il-ħwienet fit-toroq ewlenin fejn kienu l-istess Banek, u li kienu jgawdu ftit negozju min-nies li jużaw il-fergħat u l-maġni awtomatiċi tagħhom.

In-neguzjanti qed isostnu wkoll li n-numru ta’ servizzi offruti s’issa, jkollhom jonqsu, minħabba l-ispazju limitat li l-Banek se jkollhom fis-supermerkati. Iżda ma’ kull uffiċċju se jkunu stallati wkoll il-makni, biex il-klijenti jkunu jistgħu jħallsu kontijiet, jiddepożitaw jew jiġbdu flushom.

Din iċ-ċaqlieqa ta’ Barclays qed issir wara d-deċiżjoni meħuda mill-Posta, li għalqet l-uffiċċji tagħha u fetħithom fil-ħwienet ta’ WHSmith – bidla li ma kellhiex is-suċċess mixtieq. Il-klijenti bdew jilmentaw min-nuqqas ta’ ħaddiema u kjuwijiet twal f’xi fergħat.

Iżda esperimenti simili mill-Banek, ukoll ma kellhomx suċċess. Bejn l-1997 u l-2002, Lloyds ipprova jiċċaqlaq u jmur fl-Asda wkoll, waqt li l-HSBC għamel xi ħaġa simili ma’ Morrisons. Madankollu, dawn il-fergħat tagħhom, ilkoll kellhom jerġgħu jagħlqu.  

Weħidna l-ħajja bla ħajra! Flimkien inħossuna aħjar u niksbu iżjed saħħa u qawwa. Jiġri minħabba f’hekk li nieħdu s-saħħa u nitħabbtu jekk insibu rifda, għajnuna u sehem min ħaddieħor. Għalkemm dan ta’ minn ifaħħru jista’ jtaqqalna u jbikkimna.

Il-ħajja dderrina nqumu fuq saqajna u nibqgħu għaddejjin meta sħabna jħalluna: mewt, mard, jew jaqilbuhielna jew jgħiru għalina. Wisq nintelqu għax inħossu l-weġgħa u nintebħu li għamlulna l-ħsara u daħku bina. Din ma tiswa ta’ ebda ġid. Iżda nibqgħu għaddejjin! Din mhux ta kemm tgħidha għax iebsa bil-bosta.

Imma jekk naħsbu għaliha u jekk nsaqsu fuqha nkunu nistgħu nidħlula. Se tiġi żgur għax l-istorja tad-dinja turina dan minn żmien għal żmien. Tkunx dawl mitfi, tknunx għadira la ilma , imma fawwara li tarmi l-ħsibijiet: għalik !  

Minn Charles B. Spiteri

Fis-snin 50, Laurence Mizzi u Carmen Spiteri ltaqgħu fil-Pjazza ta’ Raħal Ġdid, li b’paragun mal-lum setgħet b’xi mod titqies bħala l-Paceville ta’ dawn iż-żminijiet. Kienu jippassiġġaw, ġuvintur għalihom u xebbiet għalihom. Raw lil xulxin u Laurence inġibed lejn Carmen. Peress li t-tnejn kienu għalliema, u kien se jkollhom social fl-iskola primarja tal-Furjana, Laurence waħħalha f’rasu li jmur u jiżfen magħha, minkejja li għadu ma jafx jiżfen sal-lum. ġara li lil Carmen stedinha ħaddieħor qablu u kellu jistenna sa ma mbagħad qabad magħha hu u baqgħu jiżfnu flimkien.

Qabel is-social, għal darbtejn fuq xulxin kien bagħat jistaqsiha ma’ xi ħbieb xtaqitx tkellmu u t-tweġiba tagħha kienet id-darbtejn ‘le’. Fl-aħħar iltaqa’ ma’ ħabiba tagħhom it-tnejn, li kienet sejra għand Carmen biex tagħtiha ktieb li kienet silfitha u Laurence talabha tgħidilha tisilfu lilu. Carmen, ħasset li ma kellhiex terġa’ tgħidlu le u allura silfithulu minkejja li lanqas kien tagħha. Wara t-tislif tal-ktieb, Laurence ġie f’kuntatt dirett ma’ Carmen biex irritornalha l-ktieb, u meta staqsieha riditx toħroġ miegħu, aċċettat.

Għall-bidu kienu jiltaqgħu bil-moħbi fid-dar ta omm Laurence u wara kienu jmorru passiġġata qasira. Carmen kienet beżgħet ittarraf lil ommha bin-namrat tagħha, peress li kienet mara stretta ħafna.
Laurence hu t-tieni tifel fil-familja ta’ sebat itfal – sitt subien u tifla, waqt li Carmen hi l-kbira minn sitt aħwa.

Kellem lil missierha

Darba, Carmen ħeġġet lil Laurence imur ikellem lil missierha. Hu aċċetta bil-qalb u meta rah għaddej mit-triq, resaq fuqu u kellmu. Missierha ħares lejh u qallu “mela le, kollox sew, mhix problema”. Naturalment induna li kien ġuvni serju u bi ħsieb ġenwin.
Ladarba ommha saret taf bl-aħbar minn żewġha, Laurence beda jidħol għandhom ukoll. Il-ħruġ ta’ nhar ta’ Ħadd ma naqasx, iżda dejjem bix-chaperone, bil-għassa magħhom. Fix-xitwa kienu jmorru l-Belt f’xi ħanut tal-kafè u fis-sajf għal xi ġelat f’Wied il-Għajn. Iżda dejjem bl-għassa magħhom.
Kif jirrakkuntaw Laurence u Carmen, id-dixxiplina fl-antik kienet fl-aqwa tagħha. Jiftakru meta attendew għall-kors tat-tħejjija għaż-żwieħ, mill-Moviment ta’ Kana, għand l-Agostinjani f’Ħal Tarxien. Naturalment weħidhom – ħaġa li lil omm Carmen ma għoġbitha xejn.
Biex kollox jagħqad, fl-aħħar tal-konferenzi, Dun Charles Vella kien għażel lil Laurence biex jagħmel erba’ kelmiet għan-nom tal-koppji għarajjes, u għalhekk damu ftit aktar mis-soltu. Meta waslu d-dar, ommha tatha ħasla liema bħalha. Iżda dawn kienu affarijiet komuni, tista’ tgħid mal-għarajjes kollha.
L-għerusija ta’ Laurence u Carmen ħadet ftit snin u dan minħabba li dak iż-żmien, għalliema mara riedet taħdem għal mill-inqas sentejn, inkella teħel multa. Barra minhekk, jekk għalliema mara taħdem ħames snin, kienet tingħata l-gratuity meta tiżżewweġ u għalhekk qatgħuha li jistennew sa ma jieħdu din is-somma.
Iċ-ċrieket tal-għerusija berikhomlhom ħu Laurence – Patri Massimiljan Mizzi ofm conv., assistit minn Patri Innoċenz Delia, Kapuċċin, li kien ħabib tal-familja Spiteri. Wara t-tberik taċ-ċrieket kellhom festin familjari ċkejken fid-dar tal-ġenituri tal-għarusa.

‘Kaċċa’ ghal dar

Mal-għerusija bdiet il-‘kaċċa’ għad-dar tal-koppja ġdida. Jirrakkuntaw li kien diffiċli ferm issib fejn toqgħod. Iżda bil-ħniena ta’ Alla, ħabib ta’ Laurence qallu b’appartament vojt fl-Isla. Laurence fittex lis-sid, li kien joqgħod Qui Si Sana, sabu, u dak aċċetta li jikrihulu. Dan l-appartament kien fir-raba’ sular, iżda peress li kien twaqqa’ fil-gwerra reġa’ nbena mill-ġdid u kważi kważi żanżnuh huma.
Biċ-ċavetta tal-post fejn joqogħdu f’idejhom, Laurence u Carmen taw id-data taż-żwieġ. Kienet it-22 ta’ Settembru tal-1957. Il-knisja għaċ-ċerimonja kienet il-parroċċa ta’ Kristu Re, f’Raħal Ġdid u ċ-ċelebrant reġa’ kien ħu Laurence. Ix-xhieda tat-tieġ kienu 

Lewis Portelli (illum mejjet, u li kien jaħdem ma’ Laurence fid-Dipartiment tal-Informazzjoni) u Victor Attard (mejjet ukoll).
Laurence u Lewis kienu ħbieb kbar, għax mhux biss kienu jiltaqgħu fuq ix-xogħol normali tagħhom, iżda t-tnejn kienu dilettanti tal-isport. F’dan il-qasam, Lewis ta sehem fix-xandir bir-Rediffusion u t-televiżjoni.
Wara l-quddiesa tat-tieġ, li saret filgħodu, il-miżżewġin friski kellhom riċeviment fir-Reġina Hotel, Tas-Sliema. Hemmhekk sabu tilqagħhom lill-orkestra ta’ Vinnie Vella (il-missier) li dik il-ħabta kien jaħdem ukoll mad-Dipartiment tal-Informazzjoni.
Wara r-riċeviment bdew il-qamar il-għasel billi għal-lejl marru f’lukanda Għajn Tuffieħa u l-għada siefru bl-ajruplan għal Katanja. Minn hemm għal Ruma, Venezja, Innsbruck u Vjenna fl-Awstrija.
Interessanti li fl-istess jum, iżżewġet koppja oħra minn Wied il-Għajn, Lino u Rose Debono, li mhux biss kienu ħbieb ta’ Laurence u Carmen, iżda bħalhom kellhom lill-istess patri Karmelitan, li kienu jqerru għandu u jieħdu l-pariri mingħandu. Għalhekk meta ż-żewġ koppji siefru għal qamar il-għasel, il-Patri tela’ magħhom ukoll. Iżda ladarba waslu fl-ewwel destinazzjoni, kulħadd mar għal rasu.

Tilfu r-‘rapido’

Wara madwar 20 ġurnata barra, lil Laurence qabditu l-influwenza u xtaqu jiġu lura malajr. Għalhekk, l-aħħar vjaġġ bil-ferrovija riedu jagħmluh bir-rapido u ħallas aktar għalih. Iżda bi żball qabdu ferrovija b’oħra u ħadu l-qatgħa ta’ ħajjithom, għax beżgħu li se jitilfu l-ajruplan għal Malta. Dak iż-żmien, l-ajruplan minn Katanja għal Malta kien jagħmel it-titjira tiegħu kull tlett ijiem.
Għalhekk, xħin waslu fl-istazzjon tal-ferrovija, Laurence sab tassist u qallu jwassalhom l-ajruport fl-inqas ħin. Dan mhux saq bihom, iżda tar. Meta mbagħad Laurence ġie biex iħallsu, sab li ma kellux flus Taljani biżżejjed, u t-taraġ tal-ajruplan telgħuh imbuttati b’kantaliena ta’ kliem ‘aktarx mhux xieraq’ bl-Isqalli. Fl-ajruplan sabu lill-passiġġieri kollha marbutin biċ-ċinturin. Kienu qed jistennew lilhom u kienu diġà sejħulhom xi darbtejn. Il-Bambin reġa’ daħal għalihom.
Lura Malta, Laurence u Carmen bdew jaħsbu għall-familja u wara sena u xahrejn, fl-Isla, twelditilhom l-ewwel tarbija tifel – Alex, illum direttur tal-HSBC, li hu miżżewweġ lil Marlene u għandhom tifla jisimha Carole.
Tliet snin u nofs wara, il-koppja Mizzi saret taf b’dar li tbattlet f’Raħal Ġdid, irsistiet kemm felħet u spiċċat marret toqgħod fiha. Aktar tard, fl-istess lokalità Laurence u Carmen xtraw biċċa art u bnew darhom. Ftit wara twelditilhom it-tifla – Joanna, li hi direttriċi fl-Uffiċċju tal-Prim Ministru. Hi miżżewġa lil Noel Genovese u għandhom żewġt itfal: Jamie u Colleen. B’hekk, Laurence u Carmen huma nanniet ta’ tlieta.

Imġiegħel jitlaq mix-xogħol

Laurence għandu kliem ta’ tifħir għal martu għax kellha ssofri miegħu d-diffikultajiet kollha li għaddew minnhom tul ħajjithom miżżewġa. Isemmi s-seba’ xhur sospiż fl-1977 għax kien obda direttiva tal-Unjon; il-MGCU (illum UĦM). Iżda l-agħar esperjenza li kellu, kienet li kien imġiegħel jitlaq għaxar snin qabel it-tmiem tal-impjieg tiegħu minn mal-Gvern, fl-1983.
Fl-1986, wara li l-Awtorità tax-Xandir twaqqfet mill-ġdid, Laurence inħatar membru tagħha u tliet snin wara ngħata l-kariga ta’ Chairman fejn dam erba’ snin. Dawk kienu l-aktar snin ibsin għall-Awtorità. Fl-ewwel snin għax kienet ġejja l-elezzjoni u kulħadd kien taħt pressjoni qawwija u mbagħad, meta laħaq Chairman, daħal il-pluraliżmu fix-xandir. Kien hu li f’isem l-Awtorità ħareġ il-liċenzji lill-istazzjonijiet Radio 101, Super One Radio u lill-RTK.
Illum il-ġurnata, minn fuq Laurence u Carmen għaddew 50 sena ta’ żwieġ. Ħamsin sena bis-sabiħ u l-ikreh tagħhom, iżda kif wiegħdu dakinhar li ngħaqdu bħala koppja, kienu lesti għalihom u ħaduhom b’sabar li saħħaħhom u wettaqhom aktar f’imħabbithom. Għal dan kollu kemm Laurence kif ukoll Carmen, jirringrazzjaw lil Alla, li żamm idejh fuqhom u seddaqhom bil-barkiet, lill-ġenituri tagħhom u lil dawk kollha li b’għemilhom tawhom il-formazzjoni Nisranija.
Għall-56 sena anniversarju kellhom quddiesa għand il-Klarissi, San Ġiljan, fejn qaddsilhom Patri Victor Spiteri, ħu Carmen, peress li Patri Massimiljan, kien indispost. Wara, flimkien mal-familjari marru f’lukanda u kellhom pranzu.

Il-valuri morali

Mitlubin jagħtu l-fehma tagħhom fuq il-valuri morali tal-antik, il-koppja Mizzi qalet li dak iż-żmien tant kienu qawwija, li jmorru fejn imorru qatt ma abbużaw. Jemmnu li l-valuri ħadu daqqa ta’ ħarta bit-teleserials Amerikani fuq it-televiżjoni, fejn jippruvaw juru li xejn m’hu xejn. Kienu huma li daħħlu l-libertinaġġ. Imbagħad ġie kollox ma’ kollox. U fejn dari konna nidħlu d-dar fid-disgħa, iż-żgħażagħ tal-lum ikunu għadhom lanqas biss ħarġu.
Semmew ukoll il-valur tal-onestà, fejn dari, jekk issib xi flus jew affarijiet oħra, kont tmur dritt tagħtihom lill-kappillan.
Għall-mistoqsija fuq x’jaħsbu għall-ħafna żwiġijiet qed jaslu għal separazzjoni, Laurence u Carmen jemmnu li dan kollu hu riżultat tan-nuqqas tal-valuri Nsara. Fi żmienhom, il-Kmandamenti kellhom il-valur tagħhom. Valur li ma jinbidilx. Illum, minn stħarriġ li sar fost l-istudenti universitarji, numru kbir minnhom qalu li ma jsibu xejn Ħażin is-sess qabel iż-żwieġ. Fi żmienhom, din l-affari lanqas kienet tgħaddi minn rashom.
Laurence qal li kull żwieġ ikollu l-problemi għax raġel u mara mhumiex identiċi, lanqas fil-fehma, iżda koppja għandha tilħaq il-kompromessi u tfittex il-komprensjoni, mhux tieħu r-raġun parzjali u egoistiku.
Carmen hi tal-fehma li fin-nuqqas ta’ qbil, koppja għandha tirrikorri għall-pariri, speċjalment ta’ saċerdot, għax meta sija r-raġel kif ukoll il-mara, jiftħu qalbhom ma’ konfessur, diġa’ jkunu qed itaffu mill-istress li jkunu għaddejjin minnha. Il-verità hi li llum, ftit huma ż-żgħażagħ li jemmnu f’din it-terapija.
Interessanti wkoll li dari, rari kont tisma’ b’separazzjoni jew b’xi xbejba b’tarbija barra ż-żwieġ. Fl-antik, f’Raħal Ġdid kollu jiftakru b’persuna waħda biss li kien se jkollha tarbija hekk. U kulħadd ilissen il-kelma ‘miskina’. Jiftakru wkoll li biex dawn in-nisa jwelldu, kienu jintbagħtu Għawdex. Illum il-ġurnata, f’pajjiżna, terz tat-trabi qed jitwieldu barra ż-żwieġ. U dawn l-affarijiet saru qishom m’huma xejn, għax il-valuri ttappnu.

Sess qabel iż-żwieġ

Laurence jirraġuna li s-sess qabel iż-żwieġ hu ħażin mhux għax ma jridux Alla, iżda Alla ma jridux għax hu ħażin. L-istess id-divorzju. Hu ħażin mhux għax ma jridux Alla, iżda Alla ma jridux għax hu ħażin fih innifsu. Jaf kif ikisser is-soċjetà kullimkien.
Fl-Amerika hemm aktar min-nofs iż-żwiġijiet li jispiċċaw f’divorzju, u hemm min jiżżewweġ tlieta u erba’ darbiet.
Bħala messaġġ lill-koppji żgħażagħ, Laurence u Carmen huma tal-fehma li dawn għandhom jirrispettaw u jħobbu tabilħaqq lil xulxin, iwarrbu l-egoiżmu, li hu l-għadu taż-żwieġ. Apparti dan jisħqu li l-valuri Nsara huma l-garanzija tal-kuntentizza. Ħadd m’għandu jħares lejn dawn il-valuri bħala jasar, iżda bħala sinjal ta’ gwida għal ħajja hienja.

‘True Love Waits’

Semmew ukoll li ftit snin ilu, fl-Amerika, grupp ta’ żgħażagħ reġgħu bdew jirrestawraw il-valuri. Semmew il-grupp tagħhom: True Love Waits. Jintrabtu li ma jagħmlux sess qabel iż-żwieġ. U fih hemm eluf ta’ membri żgħażagħ li kapaċi jagħmlu wegħda.
Carmen iżżid tgħid li meta koppja taqa’ fis-sess qabel iż-żwieġ, iż-żwieġ bħala Sagrament ma jibqagħlu xejn x’joffri. Terġa’ llum, il-materjaliżmu għolla ferm rasu u ż-żgħażagħ qed jippruvaw jagħmlu affarijiet li ma jifilħux għalihom. Dan qed iwassal biex koppja miżżewġa friska jintefgħu għal xogħol wara ieħor bla ma jiltaqgħu u ma jdumux ma jfeġġu quddiemhom bosta problemi li jheżżulhom iż-żwieġ tagħhom.