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I lived with my grandparents since when I was ten years old when mum and dad had divorced, which makes it more than twelve years now. I loved both grandma and grandpa immensely. They were everything to me throughout my childhood, youth and adult years. But I was especially very close to grandpa in so many ways. We spent so much time chatting and laughing together in the small garden at the back of our house.

“What’s up with you?” grandma used to shout at us, from the kitchen window when she saw us in one of our jolly moods. “It’s grandpa telling me a funny story grandma” I used to reply, without losing concentration to what he was saying. But both of them were good honest-to-God characters who instilled in me the importance of love, of honesty and of religion.

My grandfather was an artist, a painter to be more exact. He was considered to be a fine oil painter by many in our community. He frequented the artistic circle of friends and had known and mingled with some of the famous painters of his day.

Our house, small as it was, was full of his paintings. They covered an entire wall and visitors often mistook our home for an art gallery.

Painting was not only my grandpa’s hobby; it was his love and obsession. It helped him express his feelings, his love of nature and his different moods. How I loved to stay by his side while he used the brushes after dipping them in the paints on his slate.
“What are you going to do when you grow up?” he asked me one day. “I’d like to take medicine, become a medical practitioner but …………?” I stopped in mid-sentence, while conjuring all the difficulties that might lie ahead. “There is always a ‘but’ dear. Life is full of buts. But you must have the determination to surmount them” said my grandpa, obviously speaking with the experience of his years.

But our house was too small for the three of us and for his many paintings. He was always saying that now, that he was getting on in years, we have to move to some other larger place where he could enjoy life more and he could indulge in his favourite art.
I was fifteen years old when my grandparents finally decided to move to the little town of San Giminiano, in the beautiful Tuscan hills of Italy. Apparently grandad had an old friend living in that area, another painter no doubt, who encouraged him to move there where several foreign painters were located.

Both my grandparents had always wished to retire in the sun and my grandfather enthusiastically anticipated painting the lovely hilly countryside so famous in Italy and all over the world. “It would inspire my creativity and imagination!” he told me.
All the arrangements for our transfer and of the furniture and belongings were completed in a short time. As our furniture was being packed, we watched grandpa’s paintings being taken down and carefully placed into crates, which were then nailed down and stored in the basement, ready for the shipping.

As one particular painting, which my grandfather was still working on, was being put into the crate, grandpa said to me – “I know that you like this painting very much Carol. I will therefore dedicate it especially to you. It will be yours!”
It’s true. I liked this unfinished painting. It showed the portrait of a craggy old man, weather-beaten and wrinkled but a charming face all the same. Although still unfinished, it looked to be a beautiful painting. I loved it and anxiously awaited grandpa to complete it and hang it in my room.

“The first thing I will do when we get to Italy is finish this painting. Before I start another one” my grandfather told me, as we looked at it being patiently crated by the removal men.

But a week before our departure, tragedy struck. He was involved in a horrific road accident and lay in a coma at the local hospital. Grandma and I were at his bedside every day and as often as we could. He was all we had.

I did not believe, as the doctors assured us, that he was unconscious, not knowing what’s happening around him. I strongly thought that although he could not move a muscle, or murmur a sound, he was still conscious of us and what we were saying. I was firm in my belief and I spoke to him as I used to do in the garden at our home. I also mentioned his paintings, as I knew that he would love that.

I prayed fervently to God that he would live. My faith was strong that the good Lord would hear my prayers. However he died six months after the accident and I was bitterly disappointed that my faith had let me down.

It was some months after his death that grandma made the decision that, in the circumstances, we should not relocate to Italy but should remain in England where we were born and bred. After this decision was taken, the cases of all our belongings were brought back from the basement. They were unpacked and silently restored to their old places in our house, where they had been before grandpa had decided to transfer our family to the Tuscan hills.

It was after some time that grandma engaged some experienced workmen to open gently the crates where grandpa’s paintings were packed. We both stood by them supervising the unpacking to ensure that no damage whatsoever was done to any of the paintings.
“What are you going to do with them?” I asked grandma as we stood watching the men remove the nails, open the tops of the crates and gently uplift the paintings one by one. “We’ll hang some in the house certainly, they will then always remind us of grandpa” she said “but I am afraid that there is no room for the others. We’ll have to donate them to the art gallery where the curators will look after them.”

Then grandpa’s unfinished painting was removed from the crate and the workmen asked grandma – “Where shall we put this painting Madame?” We both looked at it at the same time and were utterly astounded and stunned speechless.
The painting, which grandpa was to finish in Italy, was now completed and, what’s more, at the bottom right hand side of the canvas, was grandpa’s distinctive signature and, in small words – ‘To my lovely Carol’.

“How was that possible?” was the only thought that passed through our minds at that surprising moment.  

Is-sajf kien ilu li beda ġmielu. Luca u Elise kienu tassew ħerqanin biex jibdew igawdu l-btajjel. Darba fost l-oħrajn il-mamà ddeċidiet li teħodhom il-baħar. Wara li libset il-malja, Elise ħejjiet il-basket tal-baħar u poġġiet fih il-brieret, in-nuċċalijiet tax-xemx, il-ballun, it-tajers, ix-xugamani u s-sunblock. Iċ-ċkejken Luca qagħad attent li oħtu ma tinsa xejn warajha. Sadanittant il-mamà kienet qiegħda fil-kċina tlesti basket ieħor mimli bl-ikel u x-xorb. Ir-riħa tfuħ tal-ħobż bil-kunserva u ż-żejt taż-żebbuġa kienet taqsamlek qalbek. It-taħlita ta’ kuluri tal-insalata tal-frott, li kienet tinkludi dulliegħ, bettieħ, ħawħ u ċiprisk kienet tagħti dehra tassew sajfija. Qabel għalqet il-basket, il-mamà qiegħdet ukoll żewġ fliexken kbar bil-meraq tal-larinġ imħallat bl-ilma.

Kienu għadhom kif daqqu d-disgħa xħin il-mamà telqet lejn il-bajja tal-Ġnejna ma’ Luca u Elise. Fi triqithom għaddew għan-nanna Marija u n-nannu Ġużi għax kienu miftehmin magħhom li jqattgħu ġurnata l-baħar flimkien. Malli waslu, in-nanna ramat l-umbrella l-kbira tax-xemx u s-siġġijiet tal-injam u n-nannu għen lill-mamà toħroġ il-basktijiet mill-karozza. It-tfal bdew jiġru fuq ir-ramel. Kienu fuq ix-xwiek sakemm il-ommhom dilkithom bis-sunblock u libbsithom it-tajer tal-għawm.

 Sa fl-aħħar kulħadd niżel iċafċaf fl-ilma baħar frisk, iżda n-nannu baqa’ bilqiegħda taħt l-umbrella jaqra ktieb oħxon. In-nanna u l-mamà qagħdu jilagħbu bil-ballun ma’ Luca u Elise. Xi kultant kienu jgħajtu lin-nannu biex forsi jinżel ħdejhom, imma huwa kien ixejrilhom filwaqt li jerġa’ jilbes in-nuċċali tal-vista u jkompli jaqra l-ktieb.

Xħin saru nofsinhar beda jagħfas il-ġuħ u l-kisra ħobż bnina għoġbithom ilkoll. L-insalata tal-frott niżlet għasel ukoll, iżda Luca u Elise riedu ġelat. Il-mamà malajr qatgħetilhom xewqithom u xtratilhom ġelat kbir tal-vanilla kull wieħed bil-gallettina fin-nofs mingħand tal-gabbana viċin il-bajja. Luca, li kien aktar żaqqieq minn oħtu, ried ġelat ieħor. Iżda l-mamà qaltlu li ġelat wieħed kien biżżejjed għax ħafna zokkor jagħmel il-ħsara lis-snien.

Wara l-ikel it-tifel kien għajjien u qagħad bilqiegħda ħdejn in-nannu. It-tifla qagħdet tagħmel il-kastelli tar-ramel bil-pala u l-barmil. In-nanna u l-mamà ħarġu jgħumu fil-fond. F’ħin minnhom Elise niżlet il-baħar bil-ballun f’idejha. Riedet taqdef mhux ħażin biex tasal fejn in-nanna u l-mamà. Il-ballun beda miexi ġmielu ’l quddiem qisu riħ, u Elise ħaffet sew warajh. Iżda l-għeja bdiet tagħmel tagħha wara ftit, u bdiet tħossha bla saħħa. Infexxet tgħajjat għall-ajjut, u n-nanna u l-mamà ħadu l-qatgħa ta’ ħajjithom meta sabuha qiegħda tgħum f’dak il-fond kollu. Qabadhom paniku qawwi għax it-tifla qabdet tistordi. Fil-pront tfaċċa raġel li tahom l-ewwel għajnuna. Huwa refa’ lil Elise sax-xatt, u meddha fuq xugaman tal-baħar. Wara huwa taha tazza luminata friska li għamlitilha tajjeb, u qalilha biex tistrieħ għax kienet ħadet kedda kbira fil-baħar. Il-mamà u n-nanniet ma damux ma saru jafu li dak ir-raġel li għen lil Elise kien infermier.

Kulħadd baqa’ miblugħ wara din il-ġrajja, u fi ftit tal-ħin il-mamà, in-nanniet u t-tfal irħewlha lejn id-dar. Malli l-mama fetħet il-bieb tad-dar, sabet lill-papà ferħan se jtir għax kien rebaħ ġita għal erbgħa persuni wara li kien ħa sehem f’kompetizzjoni fuq ix-xogħol. Din l-aħbar niżlitilha għasel, u l-inċident tal-baħar malajr intesa. Issa bdiet taħseb biex tibda tipprepara l-bagalji ħalli fi ftit ġranet oħra tieħu lil Luca u lil Elise għall-ewwel btala tagħhom fl-Italja.

We had always wished to spend Christmas in some foreign land in order to see how this event is celebrated in other countries. Ideally this place had to be similar to the ones that we saw on Christmas cards; that is with wooden log cabins, fire-places and much much snow.

Eventually, a brilliant idea came to our mind! What if we went to visit Santa’s land itself in Lapland, Northern Finland?

Although many of us have grown up to believe that Father Christmas is just a legend, my daughter and I are sure that he is real. Well, he comes to visit us each year and he always leaves a lovely present for Martina. So surely, after ten annual visits to our home, we decided that it would be nice of us to exchange the courteousy.

That was how we found ourselves at Gatwick airport being led away from the usual crowded queues by a special officer who rang a bell in order to call for those whose destination was Ivalo airport.

Soon, several families with excited children joined the group and off we went on a charter airplane which was waiting to take us to this magical land. Everything was superb from the start, even this flight which was completely dedicated to entertain the children with enjoyable games. Then, when we were approaching land, all the children turned to the airplane’s window in order to watch for Santa’s flying sleigh. We did not succeed to see it but deep beneath the fluffy white clouds, there appeared a strange landscape of dark land, remarkably patterned with plentiful shiny rivers and lakes. So that was how the Arctic Circle looked!

Our airplane landed smoothly down at Ivalo’s minute airport in Lapland, North Finland and soon we found ourselves walking in the crunchy snow. Mischievous, brightly dressed elves slid out together with our luggage and greeted us with playful tricks, whilst a traditionally dressed Finnish Sami, who forms part of the indigenous people of this area, welcomed us to his land in the company of a large reindeer. A coach transferred us to the tourist resort in Saariselkä which was only 25 minutes away.

Since in Saariselkä, the temperature goes down well beyond zero degrees, we had to pack a couple of cosy clothes in our luggage. However, on arrival, everyone was provided with a complimentary thermal outer-suit, along with woolen socks, snow boots, outer gloves and hats, in order to guarantee a comfortable stay since there the temperature could go down to -30 degrees celcius.

There is a good choice of hotels wherein to spend this holiday: starting from Santa’s Kieppi which is built in the traditional Finnish style, and moving on to the modern style Santa’s Holiday Club which includes an indoor pool with waves and chutes. We chose to stay in Hotel Kieppi because we considered it to be more authentic. Its owner, Matti Välitalo, informed us that in Finnish, the word ‘kieppi’ referred to the burrow where animals hibernated during winter, and surely this place was warm and snug contrasting to the icy coldness outside.

Between the beginning of December and the first days of January, Saariselkä experiences the polar night as the sun does not rise. However the place does not lie in total darkness since the light of the moon, the stars, and the magnificent Northern Lights are reflected by the snow, and therefore one can move around easily at whatever time. During this period, at about ten in the morning, the dusky blue sky turns into an unusual blend of silver and blue colours which is later imbued with different hues of blue and red, until at about three in the afternoon, when it starts getting dark again. This entire ambience felt strange at first but once we got used to it, it enhanced each and every moment and turned it into a unique Christmas experience. We really felt as if we had stepped into another world.

Even the activities that we could do were extraordinary and it didn’t take very long to see the adults being transformed into joyful and happy children. It’s bound to be! For how can one resist the feeling of a true white Christmas whilst squishing or toboganning in the milky Arctic snow? We were provided with free toboganns from our hotel and Martina took the opportunity to be pulled all along the way. I have to admit that it was somewhat frightening at first because we had never experienced this sport. But when we saw very young children shooting down confidently, we walked up the small snowy hill and off we went. Oh my! It felt like flying! An amazing experience! Anyhow, we lost count how much rides we did.

Each time we travelled by coach, our guides made their utmost in order to help us feel the Christmas spirit. Once more, we found the atmosphere quite captivating as we sang heartily a couple of old Christmas songs along with people coming from various countries around the world, under a sky packed with twinkling stars.

However surely, the best moment of this holiday for each visitor, whether adult or young was the special visit to the village of Father Christmas in the Arctic Circle. Here, with activities ranging from ice fishing, toboganning, reindeer sleigh rides, snow hockey, skidoo rides, and an igloo bar, who can wish for more? Yet there was more! In fact, after providing us with the required instructions, we were offered to drive a pack of huskies in the snow. My husband controlled the huskies and my daughter and I huddled up in the sleigh wrapped up in reindeer skin. What a delight!

Still, more followed since each family, at some point or another, was secretly and quickly hurried upon a snowmobile-sled in order to search for the elves who knew how to point the way to Santa’s log cabin which was craftily hidden in the icy woods. It was a really enthralling experience to enter into the warmth of Santa’s magical hut and to find him sitting in his huge wooden chair amid a multitude of colourful presents. Martina was dumbfounded as she noticed that Santa was holding and reading her own hand-written letter which she had sent him some days ago by post from Valletta! When she found some courage, she told him that many of her friends told her that he did not exist.

“Well now you have seen that I do!” he told her warmly as he laughed heartily and gave her a beautiful teddy bear. Martina hugged Santa as if to check that she was not dreaming and she even kissed him on the cheek. Once our private meeting with Santa was over, we were taken back to the rest of the group but Martina was simply entranced by this experience.

On Christmas day, we attended a gala dinner where we discovered that in Finland, ham is the Christmas food specialty. However we were treated to a bountiful meal of different meats and fish, together with a selection of pastries and delicious wild berries.

We surely missed the company of our dear family members and the sweet presence of baby Jesus in his crib which was nowhere in sight in these locations. Yet in Saariselkä everything was designed to entertain visitors and one will absolutely not have time to feel a trace of sadness.

We spent only four days in Santa’s Lapland but the surrealism of the place mystified the aspect of time and we felt as if we belonged there. Surely no other Christmas will ever match this one.

(This article was published in the Travel Supplement of The Sunday Times of Malta dated 2nd November 2014)

Minn Charles B. Spiteri

Joseph, li ħafna jafuh bil-laqam tal-lanċa, twieled is-Siġġiewi, iżda l-familja tiegħu marret toqgħod Ħaż-Żebbuġ meta hu kien għadu tarbija. L-ewwel kienu joqogħdu fi Triq Ebona u eventwalment fi Triq de Rohan. Min-naħa tagħha, Teresa hi Żebbuġija proprja, dejjem għexet hemm, u ġejja mir-razza pjuttost kbira magħrufa bħala tal-kaxxettier.

Meta kien għad kellu dawk il-15-il sena, Joseph beda jinnota lil Teresa, xbejba sabiħa u kwieta. Kien beda jilgħab bħala goalkeeper ma’ Żebbuġ Rangers; li f’dak iż-żmien kellhom il-każin fi Triq il-Kbira, eżatt maġenb id-dar fejn kienet toqgħod Teresa. Induna li filgħaxijiet fis-sajf, il-familja ta’ Teresa kellhom id-drawwa jitilgħu għall-arja fuq il-bejt tad-dar. Allura Joseph beda jitla’ fuq il-bejt tal-każin tal-futbol, idoqq il-kitarra u jkanta ma sħabu, filwaqt li jimraħ lejn il-bejt l-ieħor.

Meta sar jaf li ta’ kull filgħodu kienet tmur ma’ ommha Agnes u ma’oħtha Carmena għall-quddiesa tas-sitta, beda jmur hu ukoll l-istess quddiesa biex ikun jista’ jaraha aktar. Darba sar jaf li Teresa kienet se toqgħod bridesmaid f’tieġ, u daħal fis-sala tar-riċeviment bla ma kien mistieden u talabha tiżfen miegħu. Aktar tard, billi kien jaf li Teresa kienet ħajjata flimkien ma’oħtha fid-dar tagħhom, biex aktar jipprova jaqbad magħha, mar jistaqsiha tħitlux qmis.

Teresa tirrakkonta li hi u oħtha kienu tgħallmu l-ħjata mingħand oħt Dun Salv Caruana, li kienet ħajjata prima. Teresa kienu tlett aħwa, żewġt ibniet u tifel, Ġużeppi. Missierha Philip miet ta’ 34 sena u ħallieha ltima minnu meta kellha biss ħames snin. Allura daħal jgħin jieħu ħsiebhom zijuha Manwel Azzopardi, Superjur tal-MUSEUM li kien involut fit-twaqqif tal-fergħat tas-Soċjeta’ fis-Siġġiewi, H’Attard u r-Rabat. Tgħid li meta Joseph kellimha għall-ewwel darba ma tantx tat kas tiegħu, għax kienet tarah moħħ ir-riħ.

Joseph jammetti li, meta kien żgħir, kien xi ftit fuq tiegħu. Kien dilettant kbir tal-muturi u kellu Matchless 350 u Norton 650, minbarra li kien itellaq muturi anki akbar għal ħaddieħor, fit-triq tal-Armier u f’postijiet oħra. Darba kellu inċident ikrah u spiċċa mweġġa’ serjament. Ittieħed l-isptar, iżda fortunatament irkupra.

Jemigra

Meta irrealizza li ma kienx qed jagħmel progress bit-tentattivi tiegħu, Joseph ħadha bi kbira u ddeċieda li jemigra lejn l-Awstralja. Sab lil ommha u qalilha, u din tagħtu tweġiba xotta; “il-vjaġġ it-tajjeb”. Mar u dam xahar sħiħ sa ma wasal bil-vapur. Hemmhekk għamel tliet snin. Kien jaħdem ma’ Nuffield’s tal-karozzi u sa kiseb il-liċenzja ta’ pilota tal-ajruplani żgħar. Iżda ma’ kull kisba li għamel, lil Teresa ma seta’ jinsieha qatt.

Kien jistaqsi għal aħbar Teresa lill-emigranti Maltin ġodda li jaslu fl-Awstralja u li jkunu marru minn Ħaż-Żebbuġ. Darba, wieħed li ma fehemx eżatt għal min kien qed jirreferi, qallu li dik kienet iżżewġet. Dakinhar filgħaxija, Joseph siker sakra nobis u kisser kulma kien hemm fl-appartament fejn kien joqgħod ma’ ġuvintur oħra sħabu.

Għadda ftit taż-żmien, u wieħed mill-ħbieb Żebbuġin ta’ Joseph fl-Awstralja niżel Malta għal vaganza, għall-ħabta tal-festa ta’ San Filep. Meta rritorna l-Awstralja ltaqa’ ma’ Joseph u qallu li, mhux talli Teresa ma kinitx iżżewġet, talli saħansitra kienet għadha xebba weħidha. Aċċerta lil Joseph dwar dan, għax qallu li anki ma’ familjari tagħha tkellem.

Jirritorna u jitgħarrsu

Għalhekk dak il-ħin stess Joseph qatagħha li jiġi Malta u jipproponi ż-żwieġ lil Teresa. Jekk tgħidlu le, kien deċiż jerġa’ lura lejn l-Awstralja għal dejjem. Fittex l-għajnuna u immobilizza xi qraba u ġirien tagħha biex jgħaddulu kelma ma’ ommha. Qalilhom li hu kien għadu interessat f’Teresa.

Meta Teresa ndunat kemm l-intenzjonijiet ta’ Joseph lejha kienu sinċieri u serji, allura qablet li tibda toħroġ miegħu, iżda b’żewġ kundizzjonijiet: waħda li jaqta’ l-muturi, u l-oħra li jibqgħu Malta. Ferħan se jtir, Joseph aċċetta minnufiħ, daħal għarus u f’anqas minn sena żżewġu.

Sadanattant f’Malta, Joseph sab xogħol ta’ għalliem fl-iskola tal-Gvern ta’ Ħaż-Żebbuġ, iżda’ fil-vaganzi tas-sajf sar jaf li l-membri tal-militar Ingliż f’Malta dak iż-żmien kellhom paga bil-wisq aħjar mill-Ħaddiema tal-Gvern u tal-partikular. Għalhekk telaq minn għalliem u daħal fl-armata, fir-riġment tal-artillerija (RMA). Spiċċa biex għadda ħamsa u tletin sena f’dan ix-xogħol, tnax taħt l-Ingliżi u l-bqija fil-Forzi Armati ta’ Malta (AFM) fejn irtira bir-rank ta’ Surġent Maġġur (RSM).

Akkumpanjati minn ommha

Kemm damu għarajjes, il-ħruġ tagħhom dejjem kien ikun akkumpanjat minn ommha. Issa Joseph kellu karozza tat-tip Studebaker. Dak iż-żmien ħaġa bħal din kienet pjuttost rari u fil-fatt Joseph jiftakar li kienu biss erba’ ġuvintur fir-raħal kollu li kellhom karozza. Normalment hu kien iħobb jipparkjaha quddiem id-dar ta’ Tereza. Darba qalilha tmur miegħu biex jipparkja l-karozza fil-garaxx. Din marret, u Joseph jistqarr li kienet l-unika darba li kellhom ftit minuti weħidhom flimkien tul l-għerusija kollha. Iżda meta waslu lura d-dar ta’ ommha, din uriethom ċar li ma ħadet gost xejn u ġabitha bi kbira mmens.

Teresa tkompli tirrakkonta li meta Joseph kien jeħodhom xi dawra bil-karozza tiegħu, hi u oħtha kien ikollhom jintasbu dejjem fuq is-seat ta’ wara u ommhom toqgħod quddiem, maġenb Joseph.

Żwieġ

Meta beda joqrob it-tieġ, Teresa u oħtha ħietu l-ilbiesi kollha għall-okkażjoni huma stess, minn dik tal-għarusa għal dawk tal-membri tal-familja. Peress li d-dar fejn kienet toqgħod Teresa kienet bi tliet sulari, iz-ziju tagħha offrielhom li jkollhom is-sular tan-nofs għalihom. U Joseph u Teresa baqgħu jgħixu f’din id-dar sal-lum.

Jiftakru li l-karozzi għat-tieġ krewhom mingħand tal-Coronation Bar. Bħala sala, krew waħda f’Ħaż-Żebbuġ fl-istess triq fejn kienet toqgħod Teresa, u kellhom ukoll orkestra għad-daqq u żfin. Kien iż-żmien li kienet għadha qed tidħol f’Malta l-użanza tal-wedding cake u, għax kellhom wieħed, kienet qisha xi ħaġa kbira għall-mistednin.

Intant, Joseph u Teresa ingħaqdu fis-Sagrament taż-Żwieġ fil-knisja parrokjali ta’ San Filep f’Haż-Żebbuġ fil-quddiesa tat-tmienja ta’ filgħodu, nhar il-Ħadd 8 ta’ Frar, 1959, li ħabat jum il-karnival. Żewwiġhom Dun Salv Caruana. Eżatt wara l-quddiesa marru għand Blackman għar-ritratt fl-istudio kif kien isir dak iż-żmien, u wara fis-sala kellhom fotografu ieħor li ġibdilhom ir-ritratti għall-album li għandhom u għadhom jgħożżu.

Ir-riċeviment baqa’ għaddej sa wara nofsinhar u kif intemm kollox, bħala qamar il-għasel, Joseph u martu Teresa marru s’għand oħtu Inez fil-Gżira. Teresa spjegat li huma ma tantx setgħu imorru qamar il-għasel, peress li hi kellha tkompli tagħmel ix-xogħol tal-ħjata li kellhom ordnat min-nies. Aktar tard, kif kienet id-drawwa dak iż-żmien, omm Teresa qalet lil Joseph biex imur jorqod fid-dar ta’ missieru għal xi ġimgħa oħra, iżda hu irrifjuta definittivament; issa li Teresa fl-aħħar kienet martu, ma kienx beħsiebu joqgħod ’il bogħod minnha.

Familja

Wara għaxar xhur miż-żwieġ kellhom l-ewwel tarbija, Carmen, li llum hi miżżewġa lil Edgar u għandhom żewġt itfal, Marilena u Alex. Dawn ilhom 17-il sena emigrati l-Belgju, peress li r-raġel sab xogħol fl-Aġenzija tal-EuroControl hemmhekk, u eventwalment Carmen u bintha daħlu jaħdmu mal-Kummissjoni Ewropea. Wara kellhom tifla oħra, Elizabeth, miżżewġa lil Nigel u tinsab Singapore. It-tielet wild, Philip, hu inġinier u Direttur fis-Servizz Pubbliku, miżżewweġ lil Nathalie u għandhom tifel jismu Robert. Imbagħad hemm Hilda, miżżewġa lill-vjolinista George Curmi “l-Puse’” u għandhom tlett itfal, li huma Miriana, Joseph u Bernard. Fl-aħħar ġie Craig, illum accountant u Manager mad-Deloitte, miżżewweġ lil Claudine u għandhom tarbija ta’ ftit ġimgħat jisimha Elizabeth. Joseph u Teresa huma ferħanin ferm b’xulxin u kburin bil-familja li rabbew u li issa qed tiżdied.

Dixxiplina u reliġjon

Mitlubin jagħtu l-fehma tagħhom fuq id-dixxiplina fil-passat u llum, il-koppja Schembri stqarrew li fi żmienhom, f’pajjiżna kien hawn sens ċiviku u dixxiplina stretta, li llaxkaw sew maż-żmien. Fejn tidħol dixxiplina spiritwali, Joseph ifaħħar lis-Soċjetà tal-MUSEUM, li għenet lil bosta żgħażagħ fil-formazzjoni tagħhom għall-ħajja. Kemm Joseph kif ukoll Teresa isemmu wkoll li minn tfulithom sal-lum rari tilfu quddiesa jew naqsu milli jgħidu r-rużarju. Joseph jistqarr li l-uniku żmien meta ma setax jattendi quddiesa kien xi drabi meta kien imsiefer, għax mill-bqija dejjem mar. Mhux biss, talli kemm ilha li nfetħet il-Kappella taċ-Ċenaklu fiċ-ċentru ta’ Ħaż-Żebbuġ, jgħin billi xi kultant jalgħaqha hu tard filgħaxija.

Sorpriża tal-50 Anniversarju

F’għeluq il-50 sena miż-żwieġ tagħhom, uliedhom li għadhom Malta għamlulhom sorpriża. Għat-8 ta’ Frar 2009, li nzerta l-Ħadd u għalhekk eżatt bħal fit-tieġ tagħhom, organizzaw għalihom il-quddiesa tal-11 ta’ filgħodu fil-knisja ta’ San Filep, fejn kienu żżewġu. F’dak il-ħin kien hemm ħafna nies, u xħin Joseph u Teresa daħlu l-knisja sabu għalihom żewġ siġġijiet bil-bellus aħmar armati fin-nofs quddiem l-artal, bħal ta’ żewġ għarajjes friski. Għall-ewwel Teresa tgħidx kemm stħat, iżda s-sens ċajtier ta’ Joseph għamlilha l-kuraġġ u kollox mexa kif suppost. Dun Alfred Agius qaddes il-quddiesa b’radd ta’ ħajr għal kull m’ghamel Alla għalihom tul dawn is-snin kollha, u għamlilhom diskors tal-omelija li apprezzaw ħafna. Wara, il-familja marret flimkien għal ikla f’ristorant.

Bħala messaġġ lill-koppji tal-llum, Joseph jgħidilhom ma joqgħodux ’il-bogħod minn Alla l-Imbierek u jitolbuh iżomm idejh fuqhom, għax kollox jiddependi minnu. Teresa tħeġġiġhom biex joqogħdu bil-għaqal u jkunu beżlin, għax tqis li b’dawn il-kwalitajiet jista’ jkollhom ħajja aħjar u feliċi.  

minn Charles B. Spiteri

Membru tal-Pulizija Ingliża baqa’ ferm skantat meta sab pupu tal-Lego mlibbes ta’ pulizija, li mhux biss kien ixiebhu qatigħ, iżda kellu wkoll l-istess numru tiegħu fuq il-kullar.

Il-manifattur tal-logħob qal li hi b’kumbinazzjoni kbira li dan il-ġugarell għandu xebh inkredibbli mal-pulizija Thomas minn Hampshire.

Din il-figura ġdida tal-logħob għandha l-istess uniformi bħal ta’ Thomas; missier ta’ żewġt itfal, għandu mustaċċi bħal tiegħu u n-numru li jġib hu 1337 ukoll.

Thomas, ta’ 48 sena qal li x-xebh tant hu qawwi li spiċċa biex għamel kuntatt mal-produttur tal-ġugarelli Daniż u qallu li spiċċa bi sħabu kollha jinkuh fuq ix-xogħol.

Mistoqsi kif sab il-ġugarell, Thomas qal li wieħed mill-kollegi tiegħu jfaddal il-figorini tal-Lego, u fost l-aħħar li xtara, sab dan. Żied li ċempillu biex jgħarrfu u meta hu daħal għax-xogħol fix-xift ta’ wara, sab l-istess ġugarell jistennieh fuq l-iskrivanija.

Din il-forma ta’ pulizija li ħarġet f’edizzjoni limitata, għandha kappell, u lembuba u hi deskritta mil-Lego bħalha
 

Minn Charles B. Spiteri

Kultant l-affarijiet lanqas jitwemmnu! Festa ta’ Santa Marija fil-Mosta, fejn il-ġuvni, ta’ xi 17-il sena jservi bħala barman fil-ħanut li kellhom iż-Żgħażagħ Ħaddiema Nsara. Hu u ħabibu kellhom l-ordni li meta t-tfal jixtru xi flixkun luminata, flok jagħtuhom tazza tal-ħġieġ  , jagħtuhom qasba (straw). Tidħol xbejba ta’ xi 15-il sena ma’ oħtha ta’ ħames snin, li ma kienet tixrob xejn jekk mhux minn tazza tal-ħġieġ  u jordnaw x’jixorbu. Tinqala’ tilwima ċkejkna fejn ix-xbejba tgħid lill-ġuvni: ‘‘X’taħseb? Li jekk inkissru t-tazza m’aħniex kapaċi nħallsuha? ’’

Il-ġuvni kien Joe u x-xbejba kienet Carmen. Joe intlaqat mir-rieda soda ta’ Carmen u l-Ħadd ta’ wara sabu ruħhom flimkien ma’ grupp miż-Żgħażagħ Ħaddiema Nsara, sejrin vaganza Għawdex. Joe staqsa lil ħabibu Alfred Sammut jekk jafx min kienet u dak wieġbu li jisimha Carmen u tah id-dettalji kollha tagħhom għax kienet toqgħod ħdejhom.

Tilfet ‘cardigan’

Hi, min-naħa tagħha tilfet cardigan u marret tgħid b’hekk lil Joe. Joe, li hu bniedem ċajtier ferm, għadu sal-lum tal-fehma, li t-telfa tal-cardigan setgħet kienet skuża biex taqbad miegħu!
Carmen hi l-kbira fost żewġt ibniet u l-ġenituri tagħha kienu armati bi grocer, waqt li Joe hu t-tieni wild minn tmienja u kienu armati bil-forn. Tkellmu waqt il-vaganza u wara ltaqgħu xi darbtejn. Mhux iżjed. Għax xi ħadd mar kżaha lil omm Carmen – li kienet iżżommilha ferm minħabba d-dixxiplina stretta li kellha – u qaltilha li jekk riedet tkompli toħroġ u tkellem liż-żagħżugħ, dan kellu jkun raġel biżżejjed li jasal jiltaqa’ ma’ missierha.

Carmen tirrakkonta li ma’ ommha ma tantx kienet iġġibha żewġ, iżda missierha kien taz-zokkor, jifhimha ferm u jipprova jikkuntentaha. Għalhekk bagħtet ittra lil Joe, tgħidlu b’dak kollu li xtaqet ommha.
Joe inħasad u ma weġibx mill-ewwel. Kulma bagħat jgħidilha kien, li kien għadu żgħir.
Iltaqgħu xi sena wara, fil-festa ta’ Santa Marija tal-Imġarr u Joe ħass li kellu jgħid b’kollox lil ommu. Semmielha min kienet Carmen, u peress li kienet taf li huma familja mill-aħjar, inkuraġġietu jkompli. Jiftakar li darba, hu u Carmen ftiehmu, li wara li jmorru jaraw film il-Palladium, fil-Mosta, jmur id-dar tagħha biex jiltaqa’ ma’ missierha. Ommha ma emmnithiex meta qaltilha li kellu jmur għandhom, u telgħet torqod bħas-soltu. Iżda aktar tard, meta Carmen irritornat u qaltilha li kien hemm l-għarus, skantat immens u bagħtitha tgħid lil missierha, li bħas-soltu kien qed jitkellem ma’ xi ħbieb f’garaxx. Joe għadu jiftakar li kulma qallu missierha kien ‘‘OK, ibni kif int? Tal-familja jafu?’’ u taptaplu fuq spalltu. Minn dakinhar, u għal tliet snin, damu għarajjes.

Fit-8.00p.m. id-dar

Fix-xitwa kienu jmorru t-talkies kull nhar ta’ Ħadd u fis-sajf imorru sal-baħar. Iżda d-dixxiplina ta’ omm Carmen kienet tali, li kemm fis-sajf kif ukoll fix-xitwa, kienet tkun trid irritornat id-dar sat-8.00 p.m. U meta ma tmurx it-talkies tar-raħal, kienet tkun trid tieħu lil oħtha ż-żgħira magħha.
Joe jiftakar li fit-triq tagħhom il-Mosta, fejn kienu armati bil-forn, kien missieru u raġel ieħor biss li kellhom vettura. Tagħhom kienet vann, li missieru kien jimlieh bil-ħobż u jmur ibiegħu f’Ħal Lija. Fis-sajf, wara li jbiegħu l-ħobż u jieklu l-ikla ta’ nofsinhar, missieru kien jitla’ jorqod u Joe inaddaf il-vann. Dan biex għal xi l-4.30 p.m. jinġabru t-tfal kollha tat-triq u missieru joħodhom sal-Qawra biex jgħumu. Kienu jdumu hemm sa tard filgħaxija.
Carmen qatt ma marret il-baħar magħhom, minkejja li kienu diġa’ għarajjes. Ommha kienet tg[idilha li qabel ma tiżżewweġ, ma tagħmilx li trid. Lanqas id-dar għand il-ġenituri tal-għarus ma kienet titħalla tmur.
Wara tliet snin g[erusija, kien hemm [abiba ta’ ommu, li g[arrfitu li kien hemm dar f’kantuniera, għall-bejgħ. Kulma kienet tiswa kien Lm800. Joe jgġid li għal dak iż-żmien – 43 sena ilu, Lm800 kienu flus.
Ma’ missieru kellu paga ta’ Lm5 fil-ġimgħa u kien idaħħal xi Lm1.50/ aktar peress li flimkien ma’ zitu kienu jagħmlu x-‘xiwa’ nhar ta’ Ħadd. Dak iż-żmien, in-nies kienu jsajru l-forn barra u l-ħlas kien ivarja bejn erba’ soldi u sitt soldi. Jiġifieri ma tantx kien hawn flus fl-idejn.
Terġa’ l-ġenituri ta’ Carmen kellhom dar mal-ħanut tal-merċa u garaxx ftit ’l hinn. Meta l-għarajjes qatgħuha li jiżżewġu, omm u missier Carmen bnew xi appartamenti fuq il-garaxx u marru joqogħdu f’wieħed minnhom. Id-dar u l-ħanut tawh lil Carmen u Joe. B’hekk, huma sabu d-dar lesta u kulma nefaq Joe kienu xi Lm70 biex xkatla l-ġebla u flok reġa’ bajjad bil-ġir, bajjad bil-water paint.

Il-kamra tas-sodda

Kellu xi jgħid ma’ ommha għal xi jumejn, wara li xtara kamra tas-sodda għall-prezz ta’ Lm200, għax qieset li kienet għolja ferm, għal dawk iż-żminijiet. Iżda mbagħad iż-żmien taffa l-korla u kollox mexa sew.
Iżżewġu kif kienu ppjanaw, il-Ħadd, 12 ta’ Ġunju tal-1966 – jiġifieri bħall-bieraħ 43 sena ilu – fil-knisja parrokkjali tal-Mosta. Iċ-ċelebrant kien iz-ziju ta’ Joe, Patri Salv Portelli. Dik il-ħabta l-għarus kellu 23 sena u l-għarusa 21.
It-tie; għamluhulhom il-ġenituri ta’ Carmen. Is-sala li krew kienet l-Ark Royal, fil-Mosta stess. Din is-sala kienet ’il fuq minn Casa Arkati, u għalih kellhom numru mdaqqas ta’ mistednin. Sabu fotografu li ġibdilhom xi ritratti fid-dar u fis-sala –ġħax il-fotografi li joħor;u mill-istudjo tagħhom ma kinux għadhom numerużi.
Fis-sala kellhom ukoll grupp orkestrali magħmul minn ħames mużiċisti. Kien jismu The Gatt 5, immexxi minn Charles ‘City’ Gatt u l-kantant ma kien ħadd għajr Anġlu Fenech, ħabib tal-familja Camilleri u aktar tard Segretarju Ġenerali tal-GWU.
Wara t-tieġ, l-għarajjes friski rħewlha għal qamar il-għasel. Alloġġjaw fis-Seabank Hotel, ix-Xemxija. Kellhom iqattgħu tlett iljieli – mill-Ħadd sal-Erbgħa ta’ wara, iżda x-xitan ma ħamilx. Kif Carmen sabet ruħha fit-tibdil tal-arja, din xorbitha, u wara jumejn kellhom jirritornaw id-dar bla ħsieb u jsejħu tabib. Iżda wara, gawdew kemm setgħu.
Ftit xhur wara t-tieġ, Carmen ħarġet tqila bl-ewwel tarbija tagħha Rosita. Imbagħad kellhom lil Joanne, lil Isabelle u lil Stephanie. Illum il-ġurnata Rosita hi miżżewġa lil Mark Muscat u għandhom tlett itfal: Amy, Lara u Janice. Joanne wkoll hi miżżewġa. Ir-raġel tagħha hu Tony Caruana u għandhom tlett itfal oħra: Kelly Ann, Kurt u Krista Jo. L-aħħar żewġt itfal għadhom xebbiet. Għalhekk Joe u Carmen huma nanniet ta’ sitt neputijiet.

Ġibda għall-knisja

Kif irrakkuntali Joe, meta kien ġuvni kien miġbud lejn il-knisja u s-soċjetajiet tagħha. Kien jattendi għall-quddiesa u anki jgħid ir-rużarju mal-familja tiegħu, iżda meta żżewweġ u ħa l-ħanut, ma kienx isib ħin biex jibqa’ fil-ħajja reliġjuża tiegħu. Kien iqum fl-4.30 a.m. kuljum biex jiftaħ il-ħanut tal-merċa u kien ikollu jmur il-Pitkalija biex jixtri l-ħaxix ħalli jbigħu. Qatt ma għalaq in-negozju tiegħu qabel it-8.00 p.m.
Min-naħa tagħha Carmen kellha lil ommha li tesiġi li l-quddiesa, ir-rużarju, u d-duttrina ma jonqsuhom qatt. Meta qatgħet milli tmur id-duttrina, bdiet tattendi ż-żgħażagħ Ħaddiema Nsara.
Meta mistoqsijin jgħidu x’jaħsbu li wassal għad-differenza bejn it-trobbija ta’ dari għal dik ta’ llum, il-koppja Camilleri ma ħaditx wisq żmien biex twieġeb.

Huma jaqblu li fi żmien it-tfulija tagħhom, huma kienu jilagħbu bix-xejn. Joe isostni li l-footballers kollha tal-Mosta Football Club kollha telgħu mill-Oratorju tal-lokal. Illum, biex tifel ċkejken jattendi Nursery, il-ġenituri tiegħu jridu jħallsu. Jemmnu wkoll li fi żmienhom, iż-żgħażagħ kienu lkoll ferħana. Illum, lit-tfal tasal tagħtihom kulma jridu u xorta qishom ma jieħdu gost b’xejn. Carmen issotni li minkejja li llum trabbi l-istess, it-tfal jitilgħu b’mod differenti. Temmen li l-ħajja tbiddlet u ċ-ċirkustanzi tal-ħajja wasslu biex biddlu l-ħajja tat-tfal.

Min-naħa tiegħu Joe isostni li jemmen li li kieku lit-tfal ma nagħtuhomx dak kollu li jridu u nħajmuhom, jafu jitilgħu mod ieħor. Illum, it-tfal ma jafux jgħaddu mingħajr dak kollu li jridu.
Fl-aħħarnett staqsejt lill-koppja Mostija Camilleri, x’tifsira tagħti lill-imħabba. Mingħajr tlaqliq u titubar qaluli li t-triq tal-ħajja miżżewġa tagħhom għallmithom li l-imħabba hi sagrifiċċju, tolleranza, paċenzja kbira, tbatija, ferħ u naturalment l-ulied, li jiffurmaw lill-familja.  

The Lucas family lived in Cleethorpes, a suburb of Blackpool in the Fifties. Grandfather Peter and his grandson John were both fanatic supporters of Blackpool FC and, rain or shine, never missed a home game.

The grandfather, then in his sixties, used to recount to his grandson, then in his late teens, how often times he and his best pal Billy Watts, used to travel to matches together and attend to classic games in which football greats of yesteryear took part. The grandson was thrilled to hear about the famous British football legends whose names were known not only in England but all over the world.

As the Lucases were season ticket holders of the ‘Seasiders’ matches, they qualified for Wembley tickets when Blackpool reached the FA Cup Final in May 1953. Both were looking forward to travel together to London and give vociferous support to their team on the big day.

But a fortnight before the Cup Final the grandfather passed away. The boy cried as he had lost not only a dear grandfather but also a friend and a good story teller too. The marvelous football stories that his grandfather had recounted to him over the years passed through his mind.

As his own father had no interest in football, the grandson decided to trace his grandfather’s old friend and ask him whether he would like to see the Cup Final with him. He discovered that he had moved to nearby Fleetwood. If his grandfather could not go to Wembley, who better to take his place than his old pal, with whom he had attended so many great games in the past?

The grandson managed to track down his grandfather’s old friend and phoned him. He was despondent to hear the news that his great friend had died. But he agreed to take his place on the trip to Wembley with the grandson. John was delighted that he had made his grandfather’s friend so happy. When the big day came, John went to Fleetwood to meet his grandfather’s old friend so that together they would travel to London and see Blackpool play Bolton Wanderers in the Cup Final. But shock awaited him. His grandfather’s friend was blind and had been so all his life. His grandfather, he learned, had accompanied his blind friend to all those games of yesteryear and had given him a running commentary of the action taking place on the field.

After overcoming his initial surprise, the grandson felt great pride that he should now be taking his grandfather’s place and take his pal to Wembley where he would, like his grandfather did before him, give him a commentary of the entire proceedings of the game. And so it went. John commented on the electric atmosphere before the start of the game. It was a thrilling Cup Final. Blackpool had some famous names in their team that day – Stanley Matthews, then 38 years old, on the right wing; Stanley Mortensen at centre forward; Harry Johnston at centre half and George Farm in goal.

But a few minutes after half time Blackpool were 3 – 1 down and the outcome looked pretty grim. Young John Lucas and old Bill Watts sat huddled together with other disappointed ‘Pool’ supporters. “It’s impossible now Bill” John lamented with tears in his eyes. “Blackpool cannot come back from 3 goals down”, he continued. But old Bill had more spirit. “Have faith lad, have faith! More impossible things have happened in the past. Blackpool have some great ball players. They have courage and fighting spirit. Have faith!”

It is at this point that Blackpool captain Harry Johnston rallied his team mates; he was shouting, encouraging and directing them as if the fate of the world depended on them.

John was commenting in Billy’s ear. “It’s Matthews now with the ball, dribbling past one player, past another, past another. What a player! He centres to Mortensen who is waiting in the penalty area. A high ball; Morty gets it and shoots. A goal! A goal!” Both got up instantly with all other ‘Pool’ fans and cheered, sang and made enormous noise with their rattles. The score was now 3 – 2 and Bolton still in the lead. It was a titanic battle now. Only two minutes of normal time remains. John took up the commentary again – “Mortensen is taking a free kick some 20 yards from the Bolton goal. Can he do it? All the Bolton players form a tight wall.” But Morty sees a gap between the Bolton players. He walks five paces back. A hush descends on both set of fans as they waited to see what Morty could do. Morty gives it everything he has. It’s a thunderbolt of a shot. It got through the wall. A goal! A goal! The score is now 3 – 3. There was no need for John to tell Bill what was happening on the field. Blackpool have come from the dead. The normal 90 minutes have passed. A minute of injury time remains to be played. John grasps Billy’s hand and continues his commentary in gasps – “Matthews has the ball now; starts a dribbling run down the right flank; beating one player, two players, three players!! He is near the corner flag now; there’s Morty and Perry galloping towards the penalty area; Matthews centres the ball; Morty lets it roll past him but it reaches Perry on the left; he shoots straight at the Bolton post. A goal! A goal!”
There is pandemonium all over the ground. Blackpool have won the Cup by 4 goals to 3. The impossible became the possible! Unbelievable!

John and Bill hug each other. What a wonderful moment. There is singing and cheering, an incredible noise. Young John leans towards old Bill – “Harry Johnston is now going up the Royal Box; the Queen is presenting him with the FA Cup; all the other Blackpool players are behind Harry; they advance one by one; shake hands with the Queen; she gives them a medal which they hang over their necks; it’s Matthews now; the crowd is enthusiastic; the Queen is talking to him. What a sight!!” Bill listens attentively to John‘s words. He is so happy!
The great Wembley spectacle is over. As young John takes old Bill’s hand and escorts him out of the Stadium amid the mad celebrations of the Blackpool supporters, the old man stops, turns towards his friend’s grandson and says – “I’ve been blind all my life, but I’ll tell you this my lad, after this game I’ve seen it all now!!”  

minn Charles B. Spiteri

Il-misterju fl-istorja ta’ Jack the Ripper, li skantat lid-dinja mill-ewwel qtil li sar f’Londra ta’ żmien ir-Reġina Vitorja, nħall għal kollox wara 125 sena, minn eks ditektiv tal-iskwadra tal-qtil.

L-aħbar ħażina għall-miljuni ta’ dilettanti li xtaqu jsibu lil dan il-qattiel notorju hi li dan is-‘serial killer’ qatt ma eżista.

Il-personalità ta’ Jack kienet inħolqot minn ġurnalist sakranazz, bl-isem ta’ Thomas Bulling, li ffalsifika ittra li bagħat lil Scotland Yard fl-1888, u li fiha ppretenda li kien ‘Jack’. Dan għamlu biex ikollu storja sensazzjonali għall-gazzetta li kien jaħdem magħha.

Fuq dan l-imbierek ‘Jack the Ripper’ inkitbu aktar minn 300 ktieb u tużżani ta’ filmati u programmi televiżivi. Bejniethom semmew aktar minn mitt raġel differenti, li seta’ kien il-qattiel u dan għamluh bl-inqas xhieda possibbli. Skont ma dejjem ingħad, il-qattiel qatel u ħanxar gerżumt ħames nisa u wara qalagħhom imsarinhom. Dejjem kien rappurtat li l-qtil sar fit-toroq ta’ Whitechapel, li kienu mixgħulin b’lampi tal-gass.

Is-suspettati nkludew lil kulħadd, min-neputi tar-Reġina Vitorja, id-Duka ta’ Clarence sa Lewis Carroll, l-awtur tar-rumanz Alice in Wonderland. Kien hemm ukoll min qal li l-qattiel kien gwerrier Indjan Sioux, bl-isem ta’ Black Elk, li dar mal-Gran Britannja flimkien ma’ ‘Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show’ fis-snin 1880.

Iżda Trevor Marriott, li kien jaħdem bħala ditektiv fl-iskwadra tal-qtil, f’Bedfordshire, qatta’ 11-il sena jistudja l-każi ta’ qtil u jqalleb il-fajls ta’ Scotland Yard. Spiċċa wkoll jagħmel użu mit-tekniċi moderni mħaddma mill-pulizija.
Hu qal li tul is-snin, il-fatti ta’ dawn ta’ dawn il-każi kienu mħawda u l-pubbliku ġie mqarraq totalment minn numru ta’ awturi u pubblikaturi.  

Fil-ħajja ta’ ġiri u ġenn, infiq u tberbiq, titkaxkar iżjed biex tixtri u jkollok milli tagħmel inti.

Kumpanija, kliem, xorb, tbissim, tgħanniq biex tkompli ttajjar xorta jħalluk kif kont: xott, iebes, imdejjaq u mħawwad. Aktarx jekk ħarstek teħel ma’ xi bambin taf tara l-ġulbiena ħdejh. X’inhi l-ġulbiena? Żerriegħa skura li xxarrabha jumejn, tqegħidha f’bieqja u żżommha fid-dlam u ssaqqiha. Din tkun qiegħdha f’ħamrija jew tajjar sakemm tikber u wara toħroġha biex iżżejjen.

Taf tagħmilha? Ma waqgħetx id-dinja jekk le; imma jekk taf tagħmel xi ħaġa sempliċi teħodlok il-ħin, tħaddimlek moħħok b’mod li sserrħu, tħossok tiġġedded.

Il-ħin li qatt ma kellek issibu u ssib iktar u iżjed ukoll, għax mhux kustjoni ta’ ħin, imma kif iġġib ruħek bli jidħol f’moħħok. Għandek bżonn ġulbiena aħseb!  

Minn Charles B. Spiteri

Kollox imur lura għal meta Marlene kellha 17-il sena. Kienet għadha tattendi l-iskola sekondarja, meta tal-Azzjoni Kattolika kienu għażluha flimkien ma’ xbejbiet oħra biex jieħdu sehem f’reċta tal-Milied li kellha ssir fl-Istitut Kattoliku. Marlene ingħatat il-parti ta’ anġlu.
“Is-suġġeritur ma kien ħadd għajr Joe Attard. Kien għadu żagħżugħ, b’ras xagħar kollha nokkli. Ħbiebi lkoll ħarġu għalih bl-istess laqam, iżda jien ħadt grazzja miegħu. Ħarisna lejn xulxin kemm-il darba.”
Wara ftit jiem, Joe bagħat jgħidilha ma’ ħabib li xtaq ikellimha, iżda peress li Marlene kienet se tagħmel l-eżamijiet tal-‘O Level’, għarrfitu b’dan u qaltlu wkoll li kienet għadha żgħira. Għalhekk ma bdewx jiltaqgħu kif xtaq Joe, għalkemm kull fejn jiltaqgħu, kienu jsellmu lil xulxin u jgħidu xi kelma jew tnejn.
Joe jiftakar li dak iż-żmien, hu kien diġa’ jaħdem it-Tarzna u kellu dawk il-25 sena. Stenna lil Marlene ittemm l-eżamijiet, u reġa’ pprova jkellimha. Din id-darba ma kellux problemi. Marlene aċċettat li tkellmu.
Sew missier Joe, li hu Għawdxi pur u sew missier Marlene, li hu Slimiż kienu fin-Navy u għalhekk ma kinux ikunu Malta. Iżda Marlene issemmi li nannuha Ġorġ Azzopardi; missier ommha, li kien jilgħab mal-Furjana, u kien fih raġel, kien jagħmilha ta’ missierha wkoll u kien bniedem ta’ dixxiplina kbira. Lil iben Ġorġ, Charles Azzopardi, player u maniġer tal-Barclay Bank, kienu jgħidulu l-Gross.
Darba, Joe u Marlene iltaqgħu u ntasbu fuq bank il-Mall. F’ħin minnhom, Marlene rat lil nannuha ġej mill-bogħod. Għarrfet b’dan lil Joe u ħarbet tiġri. Joe bil-fixla, tkebbeb kobba taħt il-bank, u n-nannu Ġorġ baqa’ għaddej qisu ma kien ġara xejn.
Filgħaxija, meta Marlene daħlet id-dar, qalilha: “Jaħasra, kien hemm ġuvni ħdejn il-funtana, waħdu; x’kien qiegħed jagħmel?” Allura Marlene qaltlu li kien il-ħabib tagħha. U nannuha qalilha biex tgħidlu li ried ikellmu.

Il-laqgħa ma’ nannuha

Min-naħa tiegħu Joe irrakkuntali li l-laqgħa kienet saret fil-ħanut tas-sigarretti, magħruf bħala tan-Nifs, taħt il-loġoġ tal-Furjana. Nannuha kien widdbu li ħażin ikun għalih jekk jipprova jgħaddi ż-żmien b’Marlene, għax jaqsmu fuq irkopptu, waqt li jekk jagħraf iħobbha u jirrispettatha, lilu jsibu miegħu f’kulma jinħtieġ.
Joe qabel ma’ dak kollu li qallu n-nannu ta’ Marlene, u allura n-nannu qallu li ma ridhomx joqogħdu barra. B’hekk bdiet il-ħajja tal-imħabba bejn Joe u Marlene. Hu kien imur id-dar ta’ Marlene, joħorġu dawra u jirritornaw id-dar.
Marlene issemmi li dejjem tħallew joħorġu weħidhom, iżda dan ma fissirx li t-tliet ħutha s-subien – li huma iżgħar minnha – ma kinux jintbagħtu biex ‘jagħmlulhom l-għassa’. U joħorġu xħin joħorġu u jmorru fejn imorru, inkluż iċ-ċinema, riedu jkunu d-dar sat-8.30p.m. Hemmhekk kienu jixorbu xi ħaġa u Joe ilesti biex jitlaq.
Marlene kienet tinżel isfel miegħu, (tliet sulari) biex twasslu sal-bieb, fejn ‘jisirqu’ l-bewsa ta’ qabel l-irqad! U tabilħaqq bis-serqa, għax fid-dar bi tliet sulari; isfel kienet toqgħod in-nanna u n-nannu, fin-nofs il-familja taz-zija ta’ Marlene u fuqnett, hi ommha u ħutha, li fosthom kellha lill-magħruf, Sunny Monte.

Il-kera tad-dar

Damu għarajjes erba’ snin peress li omm Marlene ma ridithiex tiżżewweġ żgħira. Allura stenniet sa ma kellha 21 sena u għamlu d-data. Darba, b’kumbinazzjoni, waqt li Marlene kienet qed tqalleb ġurnal, lemħet avviż ta’ post fil-Furjana, għall-kiri, faċċata tal-Port il-Kbir. Qalet bih lil Joe u mill-ewwel kitbet fl-indirizz li kien hemm.
Ma damitx ma kellha żjara minn sid il-post, li ried ikellem lill-ġenituri tagħha. U hekk kif daħal għandhom, lemaħ ritratt ta’ zijuha Charles, li kien jaħdem il-Bank bħalu.
Lil omm Marlene qalilha li xtaq jara l-intenzjoni ta’ bintha, peress li kienet l-unika mara li kitbet għall-post. Ħaseb li seta’ kellha intenzjonijiet ħżiena. Sadattant wasal għandhom Joe, li kellem ukoll lis-sid, u tant ħa grazzja magħhom, li krihulhom.
Ladarba kellhom id-dar, xtraw iċ-ċrieket tal-għerusija u tgħarrsu. Berkilhom iċ-ċrieket, Mons Carmelo Xuereb, li kien l-Arċipriet tal-Furjana u joqgħod faċċata tagħhom. Mons Xuereb kien ħabib kbir ta’ Joe u xtaq ukoll li jżewwiġhom hu.
Iżda Joe, li kien jattendi l-Azzjoni Kattolika fejn kien hemm Mons Salvatore Laspina, xtaq li jżewwiġhom hu. Lil dan il-Monsinjur, Joe jattribwilu l-edukazzjoni kollha li jaf, peress li għenu ferm jimxi ’l quddiem wara li missieru miet fl-eta’ ta’ 54 sena.
Joe kien jattendi l-iskola Stella Maris u ta’ 11-il sena kien diġà tiela’ fit-tieni sena sekondarja. Iżda mal-mewt ta’ missieru, ommu ma kellhiex mnejn tħallaslu u għalhekk għamel l-eżami għad-Dockyard School. Bro Domenic, li dak iż-żmien kien ir-Rettur, kien staqsieh għaliex se jaqleb l-iskola, u biex Joe ma jistqarrx il-verità, wieġbu li kien iddejjaq jistudja. Għall-eżami tad-Dockyard kien hemm 1,480 u hu ġie fil-25 post. L-eżaminaturi kienu Ingliżi u wara li tgħaddi minn tliet suġġetti, tagħmel l-oral.
Lura għall-istorja tal-imħabba. Madwar sena wara, Joe u Marlene kellhom jiżżewġu. Kien għadu ż-żmien tad-dota, fejn omm l-għarusa tagħmlilha kollox hi, inkluż it-tieġ u l-għarus iħallas il-karrozzi u l-ilbiesi tal-kiri. Għall-okkażjoni, missier Marlene, li kien għadu fin-Navy Merkantili, ġie Malta u qatta’ xi jiem hawn.

Il-libsa tat-tieġ

Marlene tiftakarha sew tħit il-libsa tat-tieġ tagħha hi stess, fil-ħinijiet ta’ wara x-xogħol, peress li kienet taħdem bħala supervisor ma’ Bluebell. Terġa’, meta Joe kien imur għandhom, Marlene kienet tieqaf mill-ħjata għax lil Joe ma riditx turihielu qabel dakinhar li jtejġu, minħabba x-xorti ħażina.
Iż-żwieġ tagħhom sar il-ġimgħa filgħodu, tas-6 ta’ Jannar, 1967, jum l-Epifanija, li kienet festa kmandata. Sar fil-knisja arċipretali San Publiju, l-Furjana u l-festin kien fil-Lukanda Phoenicia. Kien daqqilhom il-grupp ta’ Vinnie Vella u ibnu Vinnie Jr. kien kantalhom.
Qamar il-għasel ma marrux, iżda jiftakru li l-għada kienu marru jżuru lil oħt Joe, li kienet tqila, u li minħabba f’din il-kundizzjoni, lanqas kienet attendiet għaż-żwieġ tagħhom. Aktar tard, missier u omm Marlene marru għalihom bil-karrozza tagħhom u ħaduhom jieklu barra.
L-ewwel tarbija tal-koppja Attard mititilhom qabel iż-żmien, iżda wara kellhom lil Herman, Elaine u Julian. Elaine ngħatat dan l-isem għax twieldet fl-isptar Santa Katarina, f’Jum il-festa ta’ Sant Elena.

It-trobbija tal-lum

Għar-rigward tat-trobbija tat-tfal tal-lum, Joe u Marlene huma tal-fehma li llum, il-fsied iħassar lill-ulied. It-tfal ma jafux x’inhu sagrifiċċju. Jekk iridu jmorru l-iskola, il-privat, joħorġu u jmorru fejn imorru, isibu lil xi ħadd mill-ġenituri li jwassalhom. Fid-dar ma jingħataw jagħmlu xejn u għalhekk jidraw bla ħajra biex imiddu jdejhom.
Apparti dan kollu, is-sistema edukattiva tbiddlet għal kollox. It-tfal, meta jilħqu l-adolexxenza tagħhom qed isibu homeworks enormi u dan meta s-suġġetti saru diffiċli ferm. Għalhekk il-ħruġ li joħorġu, jrid isir bilfors wara li jlestu, u fit-tard. B’hekk, ladarba joħorġu f’xi d-9.00p.m. Ħadd ma jippretendihom jidħlu kmieni. U darba jiġri dan, filgħodu jqumu mfarrkin u ma jmiddux idejhom.
Anki d-dixxiplina spiċċat. Fejn dari, jien staħbejt wara l-bank meta rajt lil nannuha, illum, tant xejn m’hu xejn, li fit-toroq il-ħin kollu tara l-filmati tal-imħabba — mingħajr ħlas! Imbagħad hemm oħra. Għadhom għarajjes u tarahom sejrin vaganza, u jorqdu flimkien.
Imbagħad, ħaġa li għaliha jikkundannaw lill-ġenituri, hi l-ilbies fuq ċerti xbejbiet, l-aktar dawk li joħorġu mid-dar b’dublett ta’ sitt pulzieri biex imorru Paceville. Dawn bla dubju, jservu ta’ tentazzjoni għal bosta.
Joe jirrakkonta li ommu kienet tgħid li hi taħlef għal uliedha sa ma jduru l-kantuniera. Iżda dejjem kienet tarahom ħerġin b’mod onest.
Fuq l-imħabba wara numru sew ta’ snin, Joe u Marlene jaqblu li jekk din tkun ġenwina, tibqa’ ġol-individwu, iżda jekk tkun imħabba passjonali, tispiċċa maż-żmien. L-imħabba fiż-żwieġ Nisrani hi responsabbiltà kbira, fejn l-għarajjes iwiegħdu lil xulxin quddiem Alla li jintrabtu flimkien kemm għall-ġid; għad-deni; għas-saħħa; għall-mard u għal kollox. Jemmnu li l-imħabba fiż-żwieġ għandha tkun l-istess imħabba bħalma tkun fl-għerusija, waqt li l-koppja tirrispetta l-opinjoni ta’ xulxin.