Senior Times (April 2019)

SENIOR TIMES APRIL 2019

Malta’s monthly newspaper for the elderly

Forms oF devotion Pawlu Piscopo and Raphael Micallef tell Fiona Vella how their childhood love of model churches continues to inspire them..

SEE PAGES 4, 5 & 6

Keeping our end up Louis Gatt concludes his short history of the game of cricket in Malta.

SEE PAGES 8 & 9

CommuniCation in praCtiCe SEE PAGE 11

2

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

EDITOR’S WELCOME

IN THIS ISSUE

Finding a balance

B

ehind the first read, there is always a hidden message, observing you from behind the curtains of words, watching your every movement, trying to anticipate your thoughts.

Take the all-you-can-eat buffet adverts, for example. At first read, the menu reads like the solution to world hunger. It’s an unending course of delicacies, washed down with freeflowing wine and water, which make way for a toothacheworth of sugar, spice and all things iced and nice.

But behind that generous offer, the reality of that promise is rather more weight-conscious. All-you-can-eat is not limitless – you can try, but fail, to eat for two persons, or to eat tomorrow’s dinner, today. To quantify it, all-you-can-eat is eating enough to satiate your hunger, and then maybe a little more. But that’s how much you can actually eat. And no, you will not empty the kitchen with your hunger – at some point, you will not have the hunger or energy to eat more. So in truth, all-you-can-eat is just that – all you can eat and no more.

So the restaurant is not actually stupid and feeding you for free – it’s serving you the dinner that you paid for, but making you think that you are actually getting more bread for your buck.

Which brings us to moderation. Now that word – like bell-bottom trousers – hasn’t been in fashion for years. But Easter is the right context to bring moderation out of the wardrobe and dust it off. Because Easter – and the spread that it lays out – gives us the option of not having any chocolate eggs (which would deprive us of the nice dark stuff), having too many chocolate eggs (with obvious consequences), or having just enough to enjoy it.

As Christine Galea writes in this month’s issue of Senior Times, too little is undesirable, yet too much is a character flaw. Which is why moderation helps us achieve equilibrium and, in turn, peace and happiness.

May you have a wonderful Easter. In moderation.

Stanley

SENIOR TIMES

4. Forms of devotion Pawlu Piscopo and Raphael Micallef tell Fiona Vella how their childhood love of model churches inspired them to set up the Għaqda Dilettanti Mudelli ta’ Knejjes.

APRIL 2019

8. Keeping our end up

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Stanley Borg E-mail: seniortimes @timesofmalta.com

Louis Gatt concludes his short history of the game of cricket in Malta.

CONTRIBUTORS Carmel Baldacchino Joe Busuttil Tony C. Cutajar Dun Jonathan Farrugia Christine Galea Louis Gatt Ramona Portelli Charlotte Stafrace Fiona Vella PUBLISHERS Allied Newspapers Limited Triq L-Intornjatur, Mrieħel BKR 3000 www.timesofmalta.com DESIGN Christian Busuttil SALES & SUBSCRIPTIONS Amanda Gauci Tel: 2276 4332 E-mail: amanda.gauci @timesofmalta.com © 2019. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the publishers is prohibited.

11. Communication in practice How should we speak to those with dementia, asks Charlotte Stafrace.

12. Life at sea The sea is the main actor in Malta’s island life. Senior Times and Bay Retro take a dip.

16. Kien misħuq minħabba ħżunitna....

Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira hi tifkira tal-akbar ġrajja ta’ mħabba, jgħid Dun Jonathan Farrugia.

17. Brother Louis: Kewkba għal ħafna nies – L-Arċisqof L-omelija tal-Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna, għall-quddiesa fil-ftuħ tal-proċess djoċesan tal-kawża għallbeatifikazzjoni u għall-kanonizzazzjoni ta’ Brother Louis Camilleri F.S.C.

18. Pass wara l-ieħor Esperjenza ta’ volontarjat tgħinek tikber, Melanie Scicluna, president ta’ Passi & Beyond tgħid lil Ramona Portelli.

22. Family football The Edwards family gave Maltese football three fine footballers, says Carmel Baldacchino.

24. Keep on trucking Childhood memories drives the Cortis family’s love of trucks, Joe Busuttil from the Old Motors Club says.

Message by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna

I

t is a great privilege for me to address our senior citizens. Pope Francis insists that the young generations need to listen to senior citizens, including their grandparents, because whilst listening to their narrative the young generation will be able to connect with their roots, with our heritage whether religious, cultural and human.

I would like to thank so many grandparents who are the first responders for so many family situations.

I would like to thank them for their generous care, for their loving concerns, for bringing young generations to the faith, for instilling in all of us a true and deep love for our country, for our history, and for our heritage.

I would also like to give a word of encouragement to all those senior citizens who are in residential care and who go

through moments of loneliness and who need the tender loving care of somebody close to them. Please offer all your difficult moments, your suffering, for peace in the world and for human prosperity. I have a special mission for all Christian senior citizens: to offer this important stage in their life as a constant and continuous prayer for vocations to the priesthood and the married life.

God bless you all.

Charles J. Scicluna Archbishop of Malta

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

|

3

NEWS

Can politics enhance intergenerational dialogue?

T

he political sphere is often criticised for having numerous older persons engaged within its dimensions. With approximately 20 per cent of the Maltese population being 65 and over, it is just to have good representation of elderly in our democratic structures.

A fair representation is what this Government has been aiming for. Due to under-representation of women, youth, and other social minority groups, we have recently seen the introduction of measures that promote their active participation. While it is safe to say that the elderly are well represented in the political sphere, we should not diminish their valuable contribution in our societies.

Many think of politics as countless high level discussions held within the formal structures, yet it is merely that. It is also the day-to-day conversations with people in the community, understanding their needs and ulti-

mately trying to address them, with the aim to improve the quality of life of those affected. Some issues can be resolved through minor

interventions, but others require indepth discussions and reviewing of policies and legislation. It is through these conversations that our politics is

better informed, and so, we need to stay in-touch with the realities of our elderly.

With ample new young candidates contesting the upcoming local council and European elections, it would be interesting to see how such political dimensions can boost the intergenerational dialogue, and thus strengthen the relationship between the elderly who have gained experience and knowledge, and the younger generation, coming up with fresh ideas to address multiple local challenges.

As the time rolls towards these elections, the Parliamentary Secretariat for Persons with Disability and Active Ageing encourages candidates to reach out to the elderly, as well as older people to engage in the political dialogue.

Voicing your opinion and actively participating in the democratic process is crucial to further enhance the quality of decisions taken on local, national and even European levels.

4

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

MODELS

Forms oF

devotion Pawlu Piscopo and Raphael Micallef tell Fiona Vella how their childhood love of model churches inspired them to set up the Għaqda Dilettanti Mudelli ta’ Knejjes.

I

n 1986, a team of three men who had experienced war during their childhood, decided to establish a society in order to revive a tradition which was deeply weakened during the years of conflict. Today, 33 years later, the Għaqda Dilettanti Mudelli ta’ Knejjes (Miniature Church Modelling Society) thrives on with more than 400 members.

For four years after their house in Floriana was bombed, Pawlu Piscopo, now 85, spent most of the days living underground in a tunnel located under the Mall Garden.

PHOTOS: JONATHAN BORG

“During war, even though as a child you can hardly understand what is really happenning, your life gets disrupted. You see your father leaving for work each day, not knowing whether he would return alive. You go to school but you are always on the alert for the airraid siren when you have to leave everything behind and run for shelter,” reminisced Piscopo.

89-year-old Raphael Micallef from Valletta spent the years of war moving from one house to another.

“Four of the houses where we resided were hit during

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

|

5

The nuns who lived opposite our house sewed some vestments for me to wear and play with

war. Each time, we tried to save what remained of our belongings and moved on to another property. Thankfully, none of my relatives lost their lives because each time we heard the air-raid siren, we hurried to a nearby shelter,” narrated Micallef.

Before the war, both remember a society which cherished religious traditions.

“Probably, the first thing I saw when I was born was a church,” laughed Piscopo. “My father was a very skilled carpenter and he had a passion for church model making. He was

horrified when the Floriana parish church was hit by bombs on April 28, 1942. Yet once the war was over, he managed to construct an exact model of this church which I still take care of till this very day.”

“When I was young, I loved to play with church models

and celebrate mass with my friends,” described Micallef.

“To nurture this interest, my father constructed a miniature altar for me and on my birthdays or for Christmas, he gave me religious figurines or miniature altar decorations. The nuns who lived

opposite our house sewed some vestments for me to wear and play with. That was my little world and I enjoyed acting as a priest and imagining that I was in a large church. All these things were crushed and lost when our house was hit by a bomb.”

Once the war was over, shops started to open again and life resumed. Yet almost all of those who used to sell miniature decorations and accessories for church models ceased to operate. Consequently, those enthusiasts who were able to figure out how to construct the objects themselves managed to retain the traditions but many lost interest.

“The tradition of miniature church modelling dwindled considerably, however it didn’t die out,” explained Pis-

6

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

MODELS

From left: Pawlu Piscopo and Raphael Micallef.

copo. “Every now and then, I heard about someone who had a miniature church and I went to see it. The more I visited these people, the more I realised how many things had managed to survive the war and how many new models were being made. I often felt the urge to set up a society in order to gather these enthusiasts together but I was not sure how to start. Finally, in 1985 the Għaqda Ħbieb talPresepju Għawdex-Malta (Society of Friends of the Crib Gozo-Malta) was set up and I felt encouraged to do something like it.”

Piscopo lost no time in talking about his idea to his colleague Raphael Micallef and to Tony Terribile who also had an avid interest in this sector and who owned a miniature church model himself. Together, they developed a plan how to set up the society which they called Għaqda Dilettanti Mudelli ta’ Knejjes. This was intended to act as a platform through which this tradition and its related crafts could be revived and shared with others.

“We sent out adverts to all the newspapers to inform the public about the establishment of this new society. Letters started pouring in and soon, a commitee was formed.

Just a month later, in March 1986, we organised the first

exhibition during the first two weeks of Lent, during which the members displayed the works which they had.”

The exhibition of the members’ works was one of the fundamental aims of the society.

“The annual exhibition encourages the members to come up with new ideas so they can exhibit new works to their friends and the visiting public. We never failed to organise an exhibition each year during Lent, and each time, there were very interesting works on display. Members who participate vary from children to teenagers, adults and elders.”

Cultivating enthusiasm is key to retain relevance to such a society and to increase its members.

“Right from the beginning, we started to organise regular meetings which involved the participation of particular individuals who came to share their knowledge. Some of these were skilled persons who knew how to build miniature models, create clay figurines, embroider with gold or silver wire thread, practise guilding and much more.

Other speakers shared interesting information about churches and their titular names, historical details and intriguing collections. These

meetings still take place regularly during the year.”

A bi-monthly magazine, IlKnisja Tiegħi (My Church), which was also initiated by the society, keeps the members informed about various activities and exhibitions relating to miniature church modelling.

“In 1998, we also succeeded to acquire a property at 37, East Street, Valletta, and this became the premises of our society. It is so satisfactory to see it brimming with members whenever we organise an activity.”

Both men were deeply proud in seeing their endeavor still going strong after all these years.

“Now, a younger committee has taken up the responsibility to administer and manage this society and the committee members are doing a very good job by continuosly coming up with new activities for the members. We feel satisfied to see how this society has developed from its humble origins,” concluded Piscopo.

“Everyone is welcome to join this society, even those who have no intention of ever building a miniature church model. Besides encouraging crafts and traditions, this society serves also to nurture a love for God and the Church,” concluded Micallef.

For further information about the Għaqda Dilettanti Mudelli ta’ Knejjes, visit their Facebook page.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

|

NEWS

Stepping up for Parkinson’s

P

arkinson’s is a serious neurogenerative disease that affects the way you move parts of your body. The disease is due to problems with certain nerve cells in the brain. These nerve cells are usually producing the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is important for the transmission of the information of how muscles should react and therefore how parts of the body should move.

“It is still unknown what exactly is causing Parkinson’s disease and no cure has been found. The last decade as seen a significant increase in research into the therapeutic effect dance has on people with Parkinson’s disease. On the basis of evidence provided by healthcare practitioners, dance scholars, neurologists and psychotherapists, it is now widely recognised that creative and expressive movement has a beneficial effect on people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers,” said Natalie Muschamp, chairperson of Step Up for Parkinson’s.

“And that is exactly what Step Up for Parkinson’s does.

We provide free specialised movement classes for people with Parkinson’s disease as well as their caregiver, which is often their spouse or other family member,” she added.

“In Malta some 1,400 people have Parkinson’s. These classes are wonderful. I have seen how they have helped our residents.

They offer them support, interaction with others as well as freedom of movement. I am very proud to be hosting these regular classes at Hilltop Gardens and organising an event to raise awareness about the disease,” Charmaine Attard, director of AX Care commented.

Muschamp added how: “Parkinson’s disease is the second largest neurodegenerative disease in the world after Alzheimer’s. Often Parkinson’s is seen as an elderly disease, however, there are currently more and more people diagnosed before their thirties.

Parkinson’s is relatively unknown to many and therefore people diagnosed with the diseases also suffer from stigma about the disease itself. Since it is so unknown, not many would know how to behave around a person that has tremors or suffers from uncontrolled move-

ment. People with Parkinson’s disease are the same person as they were before they were diagnosed, their identity has not changed, and they think the same and love the same as they did before, maybe even more so now. So to break the stigma, and to encourage everyone to accept who they are, and not to feel ashamed, and not to become isolated, our aim is to raise more awareness.”

7

8

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

HISTORY

Keeping our end up Louis Gatt concludes his short history of the game of cricket in Malta.

W

hen the British Services departed Malta for good, the game of cricket here faced the biggest crisis in its history. Prior to March 31, 1979 we had always been able to play against and between the armed forces cricketers and the few locals who played the game. But remove the services factor and we were struggling.

Step forward a handful of dedicated people, among the most prominent of whom was Dr Sarfraz Ali, to effect what turned out to be a minor miracle by ensuring that the game would live on, just, gain strength and eventually thrive.

The cricket pitch at the Marsa Sports Club occupies a large space within the confines of the club’s footprint and – after the British evacuation – it became the subject of often acrimonious debate.

Should such a hefty piece of land continue to be available for what had become a minority interest sport, or should it not be given over for more popular activities, like for example: a kiddies playing field?

Fortunately at this time the Marsa was governed by an excellent committee, headed

by its far seeing chairman John Holland. He saw to it that the primary use of the Marsa cricket field remained just that. There were some concessions made whereby the field would be available for children to use it to play other games on, but only on Sundays and never when official cricket matches were in action.

This fact gave rise to a number of clashes with non cricket enthusiasts. I can recall some children, with mummy in tow, wandering casually onto the field one day in the middle of a game. Then, when the lady in question was approached by a senior player, shown the very hard cricket ball and had it explained to her that this mis-

Not once, to my knowledge, did any cricketer lose his cool and berate these trespassers

sile coming into contact at high velocity with a child would do the kid no good at all, she prodded said ball, sniffed then said to the very polite cricketer: “But can’t you go and play somewhere else!”

There were countless occasions when pram-pushing mums had to be gently dissuaded from continuing their progress right across the pitch as play was yet again interrupted. And – I’m pleased to report that not once, to my knowledge, did any cricketer lose his cool and berate these trespassers.

Then in the early 1980s a sort of miracle happened.

Keeping the game going was becoming increasingly difficult. A cricket match requires the participation of 24 people, two teams of 11 each plus two onfield umpires. On some occasions getting one team of 11 together was a struggle let alone two. Then one weekday evening a few of us were practising in the middle when two guys turned up and asked – in broad Australian accents – if they could join in. As luck would have it both turned out to be very competent MalteseAustralian players and, although we didn’t know it at the time, the unwitting saviours of the game in Malta.

These “saviours” were Michael Caruana and Joe Sciberras.

Both were the children of Maltese migrants who had, up until this time, spent all their lives in Australia steeped in the game of cricket.

Caruana turned out to be a spectacularly good batsman and also, that rarity, a leg spin bowler of consummate skill.

Sciberras was an opening batsman and a handy mediumpace bowler. These two were later joined by more ex Australian cricketers in Chris Borg, the Spiteri brothers Frank and Angelo, Mike Micallef, John Callus and John Grima, so that gradually cricket managed to pick itself up off the floor and become almost a mainstream sport here.

Not all our new players were ex-Aussies, the arrival of Sri Lankan star turn Lal Wyjesinghe marked a significant upturn in our fortunes.

Wyjesinghe was an explosive top order batsman and a terrifyingly quick bowler who made an immediate impact.

Other useful cricketers included Alan Swift, Kevin Galea Pace, the Naudi brothers, as well as the afore-mentioned Dr Sarfraz Ali and another Pakistani medic Dr Shah Javed. These last two had

arrived in Malta during the 1970s doctors strike married Maltese girls and put down roots here.

This unexpected influx of very talented cricketers had the additional effect of encouraging touring sides to return.

Between the early 1980s and 2010 we managed to entertain teams from Greece, Italy, Malaysia, Luxembourg, the Channel Islands, the US, France, Switzerland, Pakistan and the UK. Then in 1990 we competed creditably in the very first European Cricket Tournament held in Guernsey. Malta has fielded a national team in every version of this biennial competition which has taken place in Worksop UK, Zuoz Switzer-

The pavilion at the Marsa Club cricket pitch.

A general view of the Marsa Club cricket pitch.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

|

9

The Malta cricket squad in the late 1990s.

Michael Caruana (centre).

land, Radley School UK, Corfu, Austria and elsewhere.

This late flowering of Maltese cricket has produced some extremely talented cricketers as well as a few real

characters. Among this last mentioned category the two Glynne brothers stand out.

Neither was exactly in the first flush of youth when they began playing again in the

early 1980s, after some years out of the game. Their father had been the groundsman at the services sports facility at Corradino, which is where they had learnt their cricket.

Wally fancied himself as a lob bowler and I’ll swear that on some occasions he tossed the ball so high, when it came down it had snow on it.

Wally – or Legend as he was known among his peers – even

commanded an entry in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest ever cricketer to play for his country, I believe he was around 74 at the time and he performed the feat at a European tournament game in Switzerland, where he had a bowl and even took a wicket.

In 2002 the Marsa Club celebrated the centenary of cricket at the club with a visit

from a very strong MCC side, captained by former Middlesex and England skipper Mike Gatting. In the intervening years the game has continued to grow and happily the overall standard has not dropped. I – and many others sincerely hope that, despite its chequered history, the noble game of cricket is here to stay and prosper in Malta.

10

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

RUMANZ

L-Antikrist Mattew

Din hija biċċa maġija li jekk tirnexxi, jien inkun l-ewwel wieħed li qatt għamiltha – Mattew

Silta mir-rumanz ġdid ta’ Tony C. Cutajar.

S

piss kienu jiġu n-nies id-dar biex Mattew jaqralhom xortihom.

Luigi kien jibqa’ mbellah meta kien joqgħod jara lil Mattew jagħmel xi waħda minn tiegħu. Darba minnhom qallu li kien bil-għatx u ried jixrob. F’daqqa waħda Luigi ra ġej waħdu minn fuq l-ixkaffa lbuqar mimli bl-ilma li tmejjel waħdu ġo ħalq Mattew, xorob u reġa’ mar lura fejn kien qabel.

Darb’oħra meta ferfer idu lejn l-iskrivanija li kienet tqila u li kienet in-naħa l-oħra talkamra, din imxiet lejh u reġgħet lura fejn kienet mingħajr ħadd ma messha.

Darba ġew tnejn minn nies għandhom u qagħdu l-erbgħa madwar il-mejda. “Għalqu lkatina,” qalilhom.

Dawk baqgħu jħarsu lejh.

“Jiġifieri poġġu jdejkom miftuħa b’wiċċhom ‘l isfel fuqha b’mod li s-swaba’ tat-truf imissu ma’ xulxin,” spjegalhom.

Il-mejda f ’daqqa waħda bdiet terfa’ saqajha u tħabbat bihom mal-art sakemm flaħħar kienet tintrefa’ għalkollox mingħajr ħadd ma kien messha. Iktar tard tħajru wkoll it-tazzi u l-fliexken li kien hemm fuq xkaffa li bdew jiżfnu fl-arja. In-nies kienu jħallsuh meta kien jurihom dawn il-bużullotti. Kienu jiġu jħallsu l-flus biex jarawh jurihom kemm kien kapaċi.

Mattew u Luigi saru ħbieb sewwa, tant li Luigi ma baqax jiġi trattat iżjed ta’ qaddej.

Bdew jaħdmu flimkien, joħorġu flimkien u jgawdu lħajja flimkien. Luigi ma damx ma telaq mid-dar t’ommu u missieru u mar joqgħod ma’ ħabibu li kien ilu jħoss innuqqas tal-kumpanija. Ma setax jidra li jgħix waħdu f ’pajjiż stranġier. Mattew kien jitkellem ħafna miegħu u darba minnhom qallu xi ħaġa li Luigi ma setax iniżżel.

“Irrid nagħmel l-ikbar biċċa maġija li ili ħafna naħseb fuqha u nippjana,” qallu b’serjetà kbira filwaqt li l-ieħor waqqaf widnejh biex jara biex kien ħiereġ. “Iżda għandi bżonn l-għajnuna tiegħek.

Lest li tgħinni?”

“Għaliex m’għandix ngħinek meta lili erfajtni minn xagħri, ħriġtni mill-faqar u l-għaks li kont fih u għamiltni sinjur żgħir? Jiena nħossni obbligat ħafna lejk, Mattew. Ma nafx kif qatt nista’ npattilek għal dak kollu li għamilt miegħi.”

“Persważ minn dan li qed tgħid, iżda din hija biċċa xogħol riskjuża ħafna u tiddependi għalkollox minnek...”

“Minni! Mela jiena...? Imma xi tridni nagħmel, Mattew?”

“Xi ħaġa li int qatt f’mitt sena ma kont tistenna. Se tibqa’ b’ħalqek miftuħ beraħ hekk kif tisma’ x’irrid minnek...”

“Qed tħallini b’kurżità kbira.

Fl-istess ħin inħoss li qed tgħabbini b’xi responsabbiltà ħafna ikbar milli niflaħ. Tinsiex li jien iżgħar minnek u m’għandix lesperjenza tiegħek. ” “Luigi, jekk inti tħobbni tassew tagħmel dak kollu li ngħidlek, anke jekk se ssibha diffiċli ħafna. L-età hawn m’għandix x’taqsam. Jien irrid nagħmlek sinjur, basta tkun fidil miegħi, iżżomm fommok sieket u tagħmel ħaġa b’ħaġa sewwa dak kollu li se ngħidlek.”

“Mattew, inti taf li nħobbok u nħobbok ħafna wara dak kollu li għamilt miegħi. Żgur li ma nista’ nirrifjuta xejn minn dak li titlobni nagħmel. Iżda... qed tbeżżagħni...”

“Trid titgħallem tafda fija.

Se tafda fija jew le?”

“Iva, imma...”

Irrid nagħmel l-ikbar biċċa maġija li ili ħafna naħseb fuqha u nippjana

“Jew iva jew le! M’hemmx imma jew iżda.”

Luigi ma kienx jaf x’jaqbad jgħid. Wara ftit ċeda. “Tajjeb.

Nagħmel dak kollu li tgħidli.”

“Mela, ismagħni sewwa. Jiena se nlesti numru ta’ ittri li int trid tibgħat lill-inkiżitur ta’ Malta, waħda kull ġimgħa. Dawn se jkunu bid-dati fuqhom biex int tibgħathom skont id-data...

Bilħaqq, int ma tafx taqra! Se npoġġihomlok fuq xulxin u int dejjem tibgħat l-ittra ta’ fuq nett. Fhimtni s’issa?”

“Iva, mhix xi biċċa xogħol kbira, lanqas ħaqq kemm beżżajtni għalxejn.”

“Stenna għax il-kbir għadu ġej...”

“Iżda għaliex se nibgħathom jien u mhux int...?” “Ħallini nispiċċa ħalli tkun taf. Jien ma nistax nibgħathom għax se nkun mejjet...”

“X’inhi din!... Mattew, se ġġenninni jekk tibqa’ sejjer hekk.”

“Nixtieqek tagħlaq ħalqek biex tagħtini ċans ngħidlek dak kollu li għandi ngħidlek.

Din se tkun biċċa maġija sewda li qatt m’għamilt bħalha u int trid tgħinni biex tirnexxi.

Mingħajr l-għajnuna tiegħek ma nagħmlu xejn.”

“Jien diġà wegħdtek li se ngħinek. Imma din tal-mewt... qed tbeżżagħni ħafna. Diġà qabbadtni r-rogħda...”

“M’għandekx għalfejn tibża’.

Meta jien immut, nerġa’ nqum

u nkun l-antikrist. Ħadd qatt ma rnexxielu jqum mill-mewt ħlief Ġesù Kristu. U min jirnexxilu jagħmel bħalu jkun l-antikrist.”

“L-antikrist! X’waħda din!

Imma ngħid jien, għalfejn trid tkun l-antikrist? Dan parti mit-tagħlim ta’ Kalvinu?”

“U le, x’Kalvinu! Dak m’għandu x’jaqsam xejn ma’ din. Din hija biċċa maġija li jekk tirnexxi, jien inkun l-ewwel wieħed li qatt għamilha u nsir magħruf mad-dinja kollha. Għalhekk se nibgħat dawk l-ittri lill-Inkiżitur Dusina.”

“Għadni ma fhimtx għalkollox imma xorta waħda nagħmel dak li qed tgħidli.

Iżda... ma rridx narak mejjet.

X’ħa nagħmel mingħajrek?”

“Ma ndumx ħafna mejjet, forsi ftit ġimgħat...”

“Qed inħoss rasi ddur bija, Mattew.”

“Ix-xogħol tiegħek għadek ma tafux kollu. Trid tkun b’saħħtek biex tisma’ x’għandi xi ngħidlek iżjed.”

“Ma nafx kemm jien lest nisma’ iżjed. Qed inħossni sturdut...”

Din is-sena huwa l-40 anniversarju minn meta l-awtur Tony C. Cutajar ippublika l-ewwel rumanz tiegħu, Id-Dubbien l-Abjad (Klabb Kotba Maltin).

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

|

11

ELDERLY

Communication in practice How should we speak to those with dementia, asks Charlotte Stafrace.

B

be very encouraging to a person who realises the changes happening in her.

eing a creative practitioner engaging in activities with the elderly, and often with persons living with dementia, has given me the opportunity to observe not just the participants in an activity but also how carers and family members react to the resident or family member. I’ve learnt, and keep learning, that very often, these carers and family members are not aware of the consequences of what they do or say to someone with dementia, or how they say it It could be that you have not met someone with Dementia yet, but sooner or later, it is likely that you will. Here are some regular points which I notice happening from time to time by well-meaning carers and persons.

DON’T TALK TO THEM LIKE THEY’RE A YOUNG CHILD Unfortunately, I do encounter this. Sometimes I think it just happens as a sign of endearment, a familiarity – after all, we all like to be friendly, and being friendly could ultimately lead to more cooperation. But it could also have the opposite effect. This could happen when, for example, you speak to an adult with dementia, in a sing-song voice (like a child). Now I don’t believe it happens consciously, but I certainly don’t think that I would like that at any point of my remaining adult life to be treated like a child.

I have heard on many occasions the word ‘brava’, or ‘pupa’ when a task or an activity is accomplished, but I feel this is a type of ‘elderspeak’, which infantalises the person and ultimately achieves nothing.

I believe a person with dementia who is an adult should be treated as an adult and will appreciate it if you do. He should also be addressed by his own name rather than a pet name – in this way an opportunity is once again created for the person with dementia to hear and be ‘honoured’ for his own name again.

DON’T JUST ASSUME THEY WANT TO BE DIFFICULT I’ve seen this many times, and it is heart-breaking – when a carer actually thinks that her beloved is doing it on purpose.

Thinking this will only bring you more frustration, and it will ultimately help neither party. Try to understand or read up about why the actions are happening, or what could have brought on any changes, which, let’s face it, the person might not be able to express anymore in a coherent way. But you can rest assured that most of her choices/actions are now the result of her dementia.

Focusing on the retained skills can be very encouraging.

DO NOT IGNORE Sometimes, either because we are embarrassed or do not know how to deal with something uncomfortable or uncomforting, we tend to want to turn away. If it happens that you are in a place and you do not know how to interact with a person who has memory loss, your first step could be to actively engage with her. A simple ‘hello’, a smile, a handshake, and saying your own name could sometimes be enough to take the first step and break the ice.

Just remember, any human being deserves some kind of attention and respect.

DON’T ASSUME IT’S ALL FICTION It has happened to me. I was once doing some storytelling, and this person was telling me how he went to all these different countries – in one sentence the story included “Bolivia, Columbia, Peru”. I remember thinking ‘Yeah, right!’ Luckily, there was a relative close by who, during a quiet moment after the session, verified all the travel information. The number of surprises I keep encountering

makes storytelling even more precious. However, sifting fact from fiction can’t be easy for carers on a day to day basis, when the text says a lot of it is make believe.

places they have been to. This is often done through reminiscence activities – like storytelling through pictures, a scrapbook of pictures, or even a memory box.

DON’T QUIZ OR KEEP ASKING THE SAME QUESTION It’s normal to do – I’ve seen it even with some of my friends – quizzing their parents if they remember their own child’s name. It breaks my heart every time. Other questions could be ‘What’s your name’, ‘how old are you’? It happened to me too – a lady held out a photo of her late husband for me to see – and when she was showing it to me, told me ‘Ara insejt x’jismu’ (Oh my, I’ve forgotten his name) – the look of panic in her eyes will stay with me forever. There was actual pain there, but also disbelief.

Constantly quizzing in the hope they will remember will achieve nothing. Sometimes it comes back – in fleeting moments, on its own. There are lots of techniques, even through some of the activities I do, that can actually make someone recall not just faces, but even names, countries and

PRACTISE DISCRETION Don’t ask questions about your cared for while he is present – I’ve seen this from both sides– a family member telling me, in front of the person with dementia –“He won’t remember your name”, and also a family member asking a carer about the person they are caring for “Is he in any pain today?”

I’m sure it’s not intentional, but being discreet is another way of doing it – or making sure you ask the questions not in front of the person you are caring for.

DO FOCUS ON THE NOW Easier said than done. It’s hard to see a person who you have loved, or shared so much with, so changed but rather than emphasize the lost abilities, look at, cherish and honour the remaining ones, and, as clichéd as it sounds, make the most of every moment. Focusing on the retained skills can

DO KEEP VISITING Even though a person with dementia might not remember your name, or the last time you visited, a moment of an embrace or a friendly face or someone dressed differently, can shape the rest of her day. Remember that a visit will make a difference and that it has lasting power.

Reaching for every moment is an added bonus.

Carers do care a lot. What is asked of them is huge and to keep on giving endless love and care on tap is so hard to ask of anyone. What I’ve suggested above is not an exhaustive list by any means, but I think it helps to make us conscious of our behaviour which we can adjust and tweak continually. It’s also useful to constantly keep on reading and learning to be able to give the best care. Perhaps you can also think how you would want to be treated had you to switch places. I certainly would hope to be treated with grace, love and respect, no matter what.

Charlotte Stafrace is a freelance practitioner, who conducts creative sessions for the elderly under Active Age Malta. For the last two years she has been running a project for persons living with dementia called Making Memories, funded by Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation.

12

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

PHOTOS

1

4

2

LIFE AT SEA The sea is the main actor in Malta’s island life. Senior Times and Bay Retro take a dip.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BAY RETRO

5

8

6

9

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

3

7 1. Waiting to board the Gozo ferry, back in the days, with an ice-cream van to sweeten the wait. PHOTOS: BAY RETRO ; 2. The beautiful past of Kalkara Creek; 3. The view across Grand Harbour from Senglea Point features in this nostalgic postcard from the 1970s; 4. Postcard from the past. St Julian’s Bay pictured in a 1910 postcard; 5. A 1930s view across St George’s Bay in St Julian’s, with military barracks where hotels stand today; 6. The old Gozo ferry, the Jylland, arrives at Marfa in 1969; 7. Dom Mintoff greets Royal Navy chief Lord Louis Mountbatten as he arrives at Vittoriosa waterfront in 1954; 8. Gozo Harbour in the 1960s; 9. St Paul’s Bay in the 1960s; 10. Spinola Bay in St Julian’s in 1961 when it was still a quaint fishing harbour.

10

|

13

14

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

EASY CROSSWORD 1

8

2

3

9

4

11

10

27. Malice (5) 28.Keen (5) 29.Joining (7) 30.Intended (5) 31. Hollows (5)

8

12

14

15

17

16

18

13

14

15

17

16

19

21

22

23

25

20

21

23

25 26

28

27

29 30

22

24

26 27

28 29

31

DOWN

18

19

24

7

11

12

20

6

9

10

13

5

30

ACROSS

ACROSS

1. We set out to be nice (5) 6. Burst out with bits of interruption (5) 9. Figure to have a bad time some place (7) 10. Like most epics, it has taste (5) 11. Guardian of treasure, but maybe no gem himself (5) 12. How to stand proudly before the court (5) 13. The high part a chap is unable to manage? (7) 15. It’s apt to be bent when you knock (3) 17. Rod gets cross when there’s beer about (4) 18. Disagree with one’s position at work (6) 19. Writes about a number that shocks (5) 20.Wanting experience, visit the town centre (6) 22. Woman in overalls (4) 24. Timely conclusion in the city (3) 25. This system has its point (7) 26. What Poles will do when the beer has no head? (5) 27. Charge back to bed for it (5) 28.I leave Johnny the figure work (5) 29.Icy in a big way (7) 30.Rocky, it seems, is broke! (5) 31. The French department is severely restricted! (5)

1. Potato snack (5) 6. Coarse (5) 9. Swagger (7) 10. Each (5) 11. Furious (5) 12. Sneaked (5) 13. Obviously (7)

31

15. Donkey (3) 17. Peruse (4) 18. Gorgon (6) 19. Wonderful (5) 20.Considered (6) 22. Mud (4) 24. Aged (3) 25. Restricted (7) 26.Food fish (5)

2. Insult (6) 3. Scatter (6) 4. Settle a bill (3) 5. Mythical creature (5) 6. Book section (7) 7. Hire (4) 8. Coercion (6) 12. Obscure (5) 13. Belief (5) 14. Relaxed (5) 15. Inspection (5) 16. Satisfied (5) 18. Deserve (5) 19. Snake (7) 21. Pass (6) 22. Optical illusion (6) 23. Go back (6) 25. Endures (5) 26.Amaze (4) 28.Conclude (3)

MARCH ISSUE SOLUTIONS: ACROSS: 1. Chaste 7. Strapped 8. Slap 10. Mutiny 11. Attire 14. End 16. Eager 17. Dupe 19.

Tiber 21. Coven 22. Comet 23. Bell 26. Pagan 28. Hid 29. Alerts 30. Decent 31. Omen 32.

Tomorrow 33. Nestle.

DOWN: 1. Chimed 2. Saline 3. Espy 4. Canteen 5. Sprig 6. Adder 8. Step 9. And 12. Tar 13. Repel 15.

Liver 18. Usual 19. Tom 20. Bet 21. Contort 22. Car 23. Biceps 24. Eden 25. Little 26. Paste 27. Germs 28. Hem 30. Down.

WORD SEARCH

DOWN 2. We saints no longer possess this ancient kingdom (6) 3. Show clearly to be a noted fellow (6) 4. It can make one a bit twitchy (3) 5. Chat up the redhead in the lift, perhaps (5) 6. Encourage to take trophies in small vessels (7) 7. Are such books torn? (4) 8. Areas of outer Pennsylvania in new maps (6) 12. Give a final cry! (5) 13. Hop around when caned? (5) 14. Cunningly, yet in a silly way (5) 15. A child takes them to be something symbolic (5) 16. It’s often underfoot (5) 18. When you duck the right, is this the left? (5) 19. How butchers may be in business together (7) 21. Steptoe, perhaps, being princely (6) 22. A bit of tea in little bottles for the inner man! (6) 23. Sooner? Definitely! (6) 25. Judi’s little room next to the church (5) 26.Sing drunkenly outside the inn (4) 28.Girl in France for a time? (3) MARCH ISSUE SOLUTIONS: ACROSS: 1. Pancho 7. Gathered 8. M-all 10. H-OO-poe 11. Arm-Ada 14.

Leg 16. Panel 17. Dell 19. PO-LL-y 21. Dela-y 22. So-gg-y 23. Bits 26. Resew 28. P-E-R 29. Ar-can-e 30. Docile 31. Amos 32. Chain saw 33. Nieces DOWN: 1. Pu-shed 2. Chape-L 3. O-gle 4. S-harp-ly 5. Organ 6. Ideal 8.

Mo-LL 9. Log 12. May 13. D-elft 15. V-Olga 18. Ei-G-er 19. Peg 20. Lay 21.

Downing 22. Sea 23. Become 24. I-ris 25. SW-edes 26. Ranch 27. S-C-rag 28. Pom 30. Dawn.

Administers Alarm Artists Assign Broom Cater Dimple Edible Eternal Glared

Hamlets Infirm Joints Lapel Leers Masts Megaton Mulls Mummy Nearer

Pains Power Sands Skiing Skits Slashed Sleet Snowed Squats Stink

Stoke Sunup Tours Uncle Unison Upshots Utmost Weakness Widow Writhed

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

|

15

Ngħidu kelma

COMPETITION

QWIEL MALTIN U XI JFISSRU Iftaħ biebek u ftaħar jew agħlqu u nsatar.

Open your door and boast or close it and stay quiet.

Sunstroke

by Jesse Kellerman

The It Girl

by Cecily von Ziegesar

Dak li ġġib fil-qamar, fl-ebda kwart ma jkollu sabar.

Whatever is conceived in moonlight, will find no rest during any quarter of the moon.

Historic Times

Qabel il-ħġejjeġ ma jitbiddlux il-ħwejjeġ!

Clothes are not swapped before the bonfires.

This month, we are giving away three bestselling paperbacks. To win, tell us the date when this Times of Malta front page was published. Send your answers via e-mail to seniortimes@timesofmalta.com or by post to ‘Senior Times Competition’, Allied Newspapers Limited, Triq L-Intornjatur, Mrieħel BKR 3000. The first three correct answers that we receive win a paperback each. Last month’s winners are Mary Aquilina who wins a copy of Firmin by Sam Savage, Hillary Briffa who wins a copy of The Olive Harvest by Carol Drinkwater and Vicky Mizzi who wins a copy of Wild Fire by Nelson Demille. The correct answer was December 8, 1941.

SUDOKU Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9

9 3

4 7

2 5 9

1

5 2 2 3 9 5 7 8 4 7 1 5 2 3 4 9

2 4

Il-ħmura ta’ fil-għaxija, ġib żwiemlek għat-tiġrija: ilħmura ta’ filgħodu, ġib żwiemlek minn ġor-robu.

When the evening sky is red, ready your horses for the race; when the morning sky is red, bring your horses from the field.

1 5 4 7 8 2 3 9 6

3 7 8 5 9 6 2 1 4

2 6 9 1 4 3 8 7 5

7 4 1 8 2 5 6 3 9

6 2 3 9 7 1 4 5 8

The Prophecy Of Death

by Michael Jecks

9 8 5 3 6 4 7 2 1

5 9 2 6 3 8 1 4 7

8 3 7 4 1 9 5 6 2

4 1 6 2 5 7 9 8 3

Minn ħabba isir ċinkwina u minn ċinkwina jsir karlin.

By saving a little at a time, your sum will increase.

Qabbilli waħda A-B-Ċ A - B - Ċ l-iskutella bil-kafè il-kikkra u l-plattina u n-nannu ma jridx jagħtina.

Marinton, Ċiklanton, Marinton, Ċiklanton, libsa bajda bil-pantor.

Naħsilhielek, ngħaddihielek, għall-festa ta’ San Girgor.

Iż-żarbun, iż-żarbun ta’ Severina, Severina bint ir-re, daħlet sieqha ġol-gabarrè.

Norqod u nistrieħ, Norqod u nistrieħ, noffri ruħi lill-erwieħ.

Norqod u nirpoża, noffri ruħi ’l Santa Roża.

Norqod u nimtedd, noffri ruħi ’l San Ġużepp.

16

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

RELIĠJON/POEM

Kien misħuq minħabba ħżunitna....

Il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira hi tifkira tal-akbar ġrajja ta’ mħabba, jgħid Dun Jonathan Farrugia.

I

r-Rebbiegħa Marzu magħha t-tifkira talPassjoni ta’ Kristu billiturġija karka bis-simboliżmi li mdorrijin naraw matul il-Ġimgħa Mqaddsa. Lambjent ġa beda jitħejja permezz tad-diversi pellegrinaġġi li saru bix-xbihat tar-Redentur fil-ġimgħat li għaddew, fejn fosthom spikka dak tal-Belt Senglea fejn mijiet ħonqu t-toroq mexjin wara x-xbiha devota ta’ Kristu mgħobbi bis-salib.

Mingħajr ma nnaqsu l-merti tagħhom, ma nistgħux ma nammettux li għal ħafna nies, speċjalment żgħażagħ, illum ilĠimgħa l-Kbira jista’ jkollha waħda minn żewġ tifsiriet: jew hija okkażjoni għall-glorifikazzjoni bla sens tat-tbatija u lmakabrità, inkella okkażjoni għal karnival, pageant jew sfilata b’tema ta’ żmien ir-Rumani u b’ħafna demm u slaleb. Jekk nieqfu biss fuq dak li jidher u ma nidħlux fit-tifsira vera ta’ dak li qed jiġi mfakkar, ilĠimgħa l-Kbira dak li hi: pageant makabru u xejn aktar.

Iżda għal min jagħmel sforz biex jidħol ftit aktar fil-fond tassimboli, l-kostumi u d-dmija kollha li naraw fit-toroq tal-bliet u l-irħula tagħna, il-Ġimgħa lKbira ssir tifkira tal-akbar ġrajja ta’ mħabba. Spiss naraw xi graffiti jew xi tattoo bil-kliem ‘love hurts’... il-Ġimgħa l-Kbira turina kemm dan huwa veru. Limħabba tweġġa’, u tista’ twassal lil min iħobb biex jagħmel ilġennati, anke jitlef ħajt għal min għalih ikun ifisser kollox.

Min huma, allura, iż-żewġ maħbubin li huma l-protagonisti f ’din il-ġrajja ta’ mħabba tal-ġenn? Huma Alla u l-bniedem. U l-imħabba mhix ċirkoskritta għal żmien partikulari jew għall-ħajja ta’ tnejn minnies, imma tibda minn meta Alla ħalaq il-bniedem biex ikollu f ’min jindirizza l-imħabba tiegħu u tispiċċa meta l-ġens uman jasal fi tmiemu, meta dak li ħalaq Alla jerġa’ jinġabar fih.

U bħalma jiġri kważi f ’kull storja ta’ mħabba, jiġu mumenti meta s-sieħeb jew is-sieħba jonqos lill-parti l-oħra u min ikun

irċieva l-azzjoni ħażina jrid jasal li jaħfer lil min naqsu... Imma flistorja bejn Alla u l-bniedem, għalkemm huwa l-bniedem li tul is-seklu dejjem jitlaq lil Alla, Alla wasal mhux biex li jaħfirlu kull darba, imma li hu stess ħallas għan-nuqqasijiet kollha talbniedem, biex il-bniedem ikun moħħu mistrieħ li Alla dejjem lest li jibqa’ jħobbu.

U dan hu li nfakkru filĠimgħa l-Kbira.

Forsi jekk nagħtu daqqa t’għajn lejn silta minn wieħed mill-qari li jinqraw fl-azzjoni liturġika tal-Ġimgħa nifhmu xi ftit aktar sehemna xinhu f ’din il-ġrajja: “Ebda sura ma kellu, u ebda ġmiel biex inħarsu lejh, jew xi

X’inhi limħabba jekk mhux li wieħed jaqsam l-ikrah – flimkien mas-sabiħ – li hemm fil-ħajja ta’ min iħobb?

sura biex nitgħaxxqu bih. Kien imżeblaħ u mwarrab millbnedmin, bniedem li bata u kien jaf x’inhu l-mard, bħal wieħed li n-nies jaħbu wiċċhom minnu, bniedem imżeblaħ, u aħna xejn ma qisnieh. Iżda hu rafa’ fuqu l-mard tagħna, tgħabba bin-niket tagħna. Aħna ħsibnieh bħal wieħed ikkastigat, mitluq minn Alla u miġjub fix-xejn. Iżda hu kien miġruħ minħabba fi dnubietna, misħuq minħabba fi ħżunitna. Għassaħħa tagħna waqa’ l-kastig fuqu, u bis-swat tiegħu sibna lfejqan tagħna. (Iż 53, 2b-5).

Diffiċli ngħidu li din hija waħda mill-isbaħ siltiet li nsibu fil-Bibbja (għalkemm fil-fatt hekk hi!), għax ngħiduha kif inhi, x’fiha sabiħ? Is-sabiħ li fiha hu li naraw kif Alla, permezz ta’ Ibnu, għamel l-istess esperjenza tal-bnedmin: tgħallem xinhu l-mard, xinhu ttmaqdir, xinhu n-niket, xinhi ttbatija... fi ftit kliem daq kull ma huwa ikrah fil-ħajja tagħna.

X’inhi l-imħabba jekk mhux li wieħed jaqsam l-ikrah – flimkien mas-sabiħ – li hemm fil-ħajja ta’ min iħobb? Jekk limħabba tintwera biss meta kollox sejjer tajjeb imbagħad tisparixxi meta jinqala’ l-mard, in-niket, iż-żeblih, tista’ din tissejjaħ imħabba? Alla għażel li juri lill-bniedem kemm iħobbu

billi daq l-imrar kollu li l-bniedem jista’ jgħaddi minnu jew li jista’ jġiegħel lil ħaddieħor ibati.

X’tista tkun l-aħjar reazzjoni li jista’ jkollna għal din ittifkira/ċelebrazzjoni tattbatija? Nemmen li l-aħjar ħaġa li nistgħu nagħmlu hi li nużawha bħala inċentiv biex it-tbatija tagħna (li mhux se neħilsu minnha) nagħtuha sens. Is-sens joħroġ mit-tbatija meta din tkun offruta għal xi intenzjoni, forsi għal xi ħadd li nħobbu u rridulu l-ġid. Ittbatija ta’ Kristu titlef kull raġuni jekk minnha jitneħħa s-sens li hu stess taha: li tiwa’ għas-salvazzjoni tal-bnedmin.

Mela tbatijietna wkoll jistgħu jiswew għal xi ħaġa simili... b’daqshekk l-uġigħ mhux se jonqos, imma almenu ma nkunux qed inbatu għalxejn.

Xi ftit tama f’din id-direzzjoni nistgħu nsibuha fis-silta li tiġi wara dik li ċċitajt hawn fuq: “Għalhekk nagħtih il-kotra b’sehmu, u jkollu sehem fil-priża mal-qalbenin, għaliex hu offra ruħu għall-mewt, u kien magħdud mal-midinbin. Hu li neħħa l-ħtijiet tal-kotra, u ndaħal għallmidinbin (Is 53, 12).”

Bħal Kristu, min jindaħal għall-midinbin u jneħħi l-ħtijiet tal-kotra, għad ikollu sehem filpremju tal-qalbenin. Mela ejjew ma nħallux tbatijietna jinħlew.

I am still here

M

y past and present are no mirage I hear voices around me which I cannot understand A delusion that startles and frightens me My eyes see all, but cannot understand My voice desires to call out but cannot convey My hands clutch and feel nothing My feet hurt but I cannot let know I remember my past painted on canvas, as a young boy running to school, playing in the streets And smell mama’s cooking, see her cutting the bread on her lap and giving it to me dipped in rabbit sauce I spot papa coming from work and telling us stories of work We all laugh I see mama and papa passing away, and like now I cannot do anything All of a sudden it all fades away in a blur and I find myself here with people I do not know Who are they?

They seem to know me, call me father, uncle and nannu From where did they come?

They look like the drawing on canvas, they don’t fade they leave I feel like a caterpillar that wants to burst and fly away Is this a dream or one of the books I read in my childhood?

I do not know these people, they seem to know me I see and cannot understand I need to speak and cannot I need to shout out ‘I am still here.’

Reuben Vella Bray

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

|

17

RELiĠJoN

Brother Louis: Kewkba għal ħafna nies – L-Arċisqof L-omelija tal-Arċisqof Charles J. Scicluna, għall-quddiesa fil-ftuħ talproċess djoċesan tal-kawża għall-beatifikazzjoni u għall-kanonizzazzjoni ta’ Brother Louis Camilleri F.S.C.

F

’din il-parabbola flimkien ma’ tnejn oħra, Ġesù jindirizza lill-kategorija partikolari ta’ nies: il-Fariżej u l-Kittieba. U l-okkażjoni kienet tgergira tipika tagħhom li hija tgergira attwali: “Nies midinba jilqa’ għandu dan u jiekol magħhom” (Lq 15:2). Il-kuntest huwa ta’ skandlu, jiskandalizzaw ruħhom jaraw lil Ġesù li jiffrekwenta lill-midinbin; jidħol fl-intimità tal-ikel magħhom u jilqagħhom għandu, “Nies midinba jilqa’ għandu dan u jiekol magħhom”.

Ir-risposta ta’ Ġesù hija waħda mill-isbaħ parabboli li nsibu fl-erba’ Evanġelji; mhux ta’ b’xejn insibuha fl-Evanġelju ta’ San Luqa li aħna nafuh bħala l-Evanġelju tal-Ħniena talMulej. Għalkemm nafuha bħala l-parabbola tal-iben il-ħali, titlu iżjed approprijat għal din ilparabbola hija l-parabbola talMissier u ż-żewġ ulied. It-tnejn li huma għandhom bżonn jitgħallmu tagħlima importanti li għandna bżonn nitgħallmuha lkoll kemm aħna.

L-ewwel nett irridu nimmaġinaw il-qsim ta’ qalb ta’ dan ilmissier jara liż-żgħir jitlaq imma fuq kollox jitolbu li jaqsam il-wirt. Intom tafu li lwirt jinqasam mal-mewt. Iżżgħir hu u jitlaq jixtieq il-mewt ta’ missieru u jrid ir-riżultat talmewt ta’ missieru; irid dak li għandu jieħu mal-mewt ta’ missieru: il-wirt. Aħna ħafna drabi nimmaġinaw li l-iben iċċkejken telaq u ħarbat ġidu.

Nafu li l-kbir akkużah li berbaq ġidu man-nisa tat-triq imma din hija realtà iżjed profonda: li tixtieq il-mewt ta’ min tak il-ħajja.

Il-kbir huwa b’xi mod likona tal-Fariżej u l-Kittieba.

Jekk l-iben iż-żgħir ifakkarna fil-midinba milqugħa minn Ġesù, dawk li kienu l-midinbin pubbliċi, il-Pubblikani, li kienu jersqu bi ħġarhom lejn Ġesù biex jisimgħuh għax fehmu lqalb tiegħu x’kienet u min kien hu, jekk dawn huma rappreżentati mit-tifel iċ-ċkejken,

RitRatt: chuRch.mt/ photos

iż-żgħir, imma l-oħrajn li Ġesù jixtieq iwassal għall-fidwa u għall-konverżjoni tal-qalb huma rappreżentati mit-tifel il-kbir. Ma jistax iġerraħ li missieru jerġa’ jilqa’ lill-iben li kien xtaq il-mewt tal-missier.

L-ewwel lezzjoni li tgħallem it-tifel iċ-ċkejken hija li l-ħniena tal-missier—u din irridu nirriflettu fuqha għax tgħidilna dak li Ġesù jrid iwasslilna dwar ilħniena ta’ Alla – dejjem hija ikbar mid-dnub tagħna. Meta niġġudikaw lilna nfusna nużaw sens ta’ rettitudni. It-tifel iżżgħir jifhem li b’dak li għamel ma jistħoqqlux jissejjaħ iżjed iben, u jaċċetta d-destin tiegħu li mqar ikun lavrant ma’ missieru. Imma l-missier jirraġuna b’mod totalment differenti. Il-ħniena tiegħu treġġa’ lura lill-iben iż-żgħir għad-dinjità ta’ iben: tlibbsu bl-isbaħ libsa, ixxiddlu l-qorq tad-dinjità u ċ-ċurkett tal-awtorità. Aħna ħafna drabi meta niġġudikaw lilna nfusna, inkunu ħarxa magħna nfusna imma l-Mulej hu ħanin tassew. Meta jħenn għalina jħenn għalina bis-serjetà. Il-ħniena tiegħu hija tassew ħaġa tal-għaġeb fil-ħajja tagħna, aħbar tajba fil-ħajja tagħna.

L-iben il-kbir għandu dritt għall-wirt imma l-missier ma jixtieqx biss jagħtih sehmu, u jgħidlu: “Dak kollu li huwa tiegħi, huwa tiegħek. Inti dejjem miegħi u kull ma hu tiegħi huwa tiegħek” (Lq 15:31).

Imma it-tifel il-kbir kien jonqsu xi ħaġa li kien għadu ma ħax mingħand il-missier: ilqalb tal-missier. U kif ilmissier joħroġ biex jilqa’ lilliben iċ-ċkejken li xtaqu mejjet imma li issa jilqgħu lura “għax kien mejjet u issa reġa ħaj, kien mitluf u nstab” (Lq 15:32), hekk ukoll jerġa’ joħroġ middar biex jilqa’ lill-iben il-kbir li jirrifjuta li jidħol għall-festa.

Anke l-iben il-kbir kien skandalizzat bil-ħniena tal-missier.

Iż-żewġ ulied huma skandalizzati u sorpriżi bil-ħniena talmissier. L-ewwel wieħed huwa skandalizzat b’mod pożittiv għaliex ma ppretendiex irrisposta ta’ ħniena tal-missier.

Il-kbir huwa skandalizzat għax ippretenda li missieru juża l-kriterji tagħna l-bnedmin. Imma l-missier, li lill-iben il-kbir tah kollox, jixtieq jagħtih ukoll qalbu, jixtieq jgħallmu jirraġuna ta’ missier li huwa għani fil-ħniena.

Il-qaddisin jiġbduna lejhom għax mingħand il-Missier ħadu xrara ta’ qalbu. U meta tisma’ xxhieda tal-effett li ħalla Bro Louis fuqna li konna nafuh u fuq ġenerazzjonjiet ta’ studenti u għalliema, tirrealizza li fillaqgħa ma’ dan ir-raġel sempliċi u għaref, dak li jkun qiegħed jersaq lejn il-qalb ta’ Alla. U għalhekk fi Bro Louis hemm iżżewġ ulied: il-bniedem dgħajjef li jiskopri li l-ħniena ta’ Alla tqaddsek mhux tumiljak; li lħniena ta’ Alla timmaturak mhux tkissrek. U hemm ukoll liben il-kbir li tgħallem jidħol għall-festa għaliex ormaj induna li l-qalb tal-missier hija ħafna ikbar minn kull dnub u min kull miżerja.

Bro Louis ingħaqad ma’ Kristu fil-mumenti tat-talb tiegħu quddiem l-Ewkaristija, bl-imħabba tiegħu għarRużarju, bid-devozzjoni tiegħu lejn San Ġużepp, bil-lealtà tiegħu lejn il-kariżma tal-fundatur San Ġwanni Battista De La Salle. Hu, li kien iħaddan dan l-ideal li l-fidi hija kewkba fid-dlamijiet tad-dinja, sar kewkba għal ħafna u ħafna nies. Min jingħaqad ma’ Kristu jsir ħolqien ġdid.

Bl-interċessoni tiegħu, bilpariri tiegħu, min jaf kemm ta paċi u rikonċiljazzponi lil tant nies. Ma kienx saċerdot, ma setax ikun ittentat bilklerikaliżmu li hija tentazzjoni tagħna l-kjeriċi; l-għażla tiegħu li jkun brother ta’ De La Salle, li jkun wieħed mil- aħwa tal-iskejjel Insara, kienet għażla speċifika, partikolari. Nitolbu linterċessjoni tiegħu biex din il-familja reliġjuża ma tkunx biss memorja imma tibqa’ ħajja anke f ’pajjiżna. Qed nirreferi għall-vokazzjonijiet Lasaljani mhux biss għall-kariżma li naf li jgħixu diversi lajċi, uħud minnhom preżenti hawnhekk, imma wkoll reliġjużi li jiddedikaw ħajjithom għal dan listess ideal. Intom ukoll, għeżież brothers, tridu tagħmluha ta’ ambaxxaturi ta’ Kristu.

Il-voti li ħadtu għandhom ikunu xhieda għalina.

Aħna lkoll dgħajfin. Il-verità hi li l-qdusija tagħna u ta’ kull qaddis hija frott il-ħniena ta’ Alla. Sew jekk aħna t-tifel iċ-ċkejken li bid-dnub ħafna drabi nixtiequ l-mewt ta’ Alla, li Alla ma jeżistix, għax x’irriduha dn is-sikkattura kollha? Sew kemm jekk aħna t-tifel il-kbir li mingħalina kollox nagħmlu tajjeb u għandna xi dritt divin niġġudikaw lil ħaddieħor. Jekk aħna fil-kategorija ta’ wieħed mill-ulied, illum għandna x’nitgħallmu. Il-Mulej qed jgħidilna: ‘Il-ħniena tiegħi hija ħafna ikbar mill-miżerja tagħkom u jiena li nixtieq li nagħtikom hija l-qalb tiegħi li biha tħobbu lil xulxin, li biha tħennu għal xulxin’. L-ikbar ħniena hija li tgħallem lil min ma jafx. Bro Louis ta ħajtu għal din l-opra tal-ħniena. Illum nitolbu lil Alla biex dak li bdejna, iwasslu għattmiem u bl-interċessjoni talqaddej ta’ Alla Bro Louis, jiena nitlob għal Malta tagħna biex tkun taf xi jfisser il-ħelsien tassew li jagħtiha l-Mulej.

Il-Konkatidral ta’ San Ġwann, il-Belt Valletta, 31 ta’ Marzu 2019

18

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

INTERVISTA

Pass wara l-ieħor Esperjenza ta’ volontarjat tgħinek tikber, Melanie Scicluna, president ta’ Passi & Beyond tgħid lil Ramona Portelli.

I

l-ħajja tant saret materjalista, li xi kultant ilbniedem ma sarx għad għandu żvog tal-ħajja li verament għadu jtih sodisfazzjon f ’ħajtu. Dan l-aħħar sirt naf b’persuna li tmexxi grupp ta’ volontarjat li fi kliemha stess l-istess grupp aktar itiha ferħ sabiħ li difficli wieħed isibu filmaterjalizmu li ngħixu fih. Qed nirreferi għal Melanie Scicluna.

Scicluna hija l-President ta’ Passi & Beyond. L-għan principali tagħha huwa li tgħin persuni vulnerabbli kemm hawn Malta, kif ukoll barra minn Malta.

Għandha 33 sena u toqgħod Wied il-Għajn. Taħdem bħala Learning Support Educator ġewwa l-iskola St Michael, Santa Venera, kif ukoll bħala Support Worker ma’ persuni b’diżabilta għal dawn l-aħħar 15 il-sena. Kull skuża biex issiefer hija tajba u s-safar hu wieħed mill-passjonijiet tagħha. Tħobb tagħmel affarjiet ta’ crafts, kif ukoll tiltaqa ma’ ħbieb u jieklu xi ħaġa tajba flimkien.

Bħala persuna tħobb iżżomm lilha nnifisha okkupata b’affarjiet differenti.

Tieħu pjacir tkun socjevoli, imma ukoll tivvaluta l-ħin waħedha fejn tkun tista taħseb, toħlom u tippjana.

“Bħala persuna nieħu gost nidħak u nara lil ħaddieħor jidħak b’xi avventura li tkun ġratli, imma għal qalbi ukoll diskussjonijiet serji.

Nemmen li l-bilanc hu importanti u kollox għandu ħinu,” bdiet tgħidli Scicluna.

Għandha l-kariga ta’ president fl-għaqda Passi and Beyond. Ridt inkun naf x’jinvolviha bħala xogħol. Filfatt ilha president minn Settembru 2016. Fi kliemha stess hu xogħol li hu għal qalbha ħafna, u sabiħ li tara ħolma tikber bil-mod il-mod. Issodisfazzjon tagħha huwa li tara membri ukoll jħaddnu l-istess valuri, u jagħmlu din il-ħolma tagħhom ukoll.

“Xogħli bħala president huwa li flimkien man-nies l-oħra li qedgħin fl-eżekuttiv, huwa li nippjanaw road map u naraw li tiġi attwata. Sa issa dejjem tlajt f’kull esperjenza ta’ volontarjat li għamilna bħala leader. Parti mill-irwol tiegħi huwa li nrawwem nies oħra, ħalli pass wara pass ikun hemm nies li jistgħu jieħdu ħsieb.”

Minn informazzjoni li kont ġbart qabel ma mort għal din l-intervista, kont naf li Passi & Beyond ilha miftuħa sa mit-12 ta’ April 2015.

“Dan naspirawh billi jkun hemm voluntiera li jaħdmu spalla ma’ spalla ma’ dawn innies biex ikollhom ħajja b’dinjità aħjar. Bħala organizazzjoni nivvalutaw l-ispirtu ta’ komunità, u ta’ formazzjoni tal-voluntiera bħala preparazzjoni għall-esperjenza li jkunu ser jagħmlu,” spjegatli Scicluna.

Minn stħarriġ aktar li għamilt, kont naf ukoll li Passi

& Beyond ilha ttellgħa voluntiera l- Albanija sa mis-Sajf tal2016. Matul dawn it-tliet isjuf, flimkien mal-ħaddiema u lvolontiera tal-A2B, Passi and Beyond fasslet u mexxiet summer camps ta’ tliet ġimġħat għat-tfal u ż-żgħażagħ ġewwa żewġ villaġġi Albaniżi. Ridt inkun naf fuq liema bażi jistgħu japplikaw il-voluntiera, x’jirrikjedi bħala taħriġ, dwar moral, spejjeż u taħriġ ieħor.

“Il-voluntiera minn 18 -il sena ‘l fuq jistgħu japplikaw biex jagħmlu esperjenzi ta’ volontarjat mal-għaqda tagħna. Sakemm għandek spirtu żagħżugħ tista tingħaqad magħna. Filfatt likbar persuna li tela jagħmel din l-esperjenza magħna kellu 64 sena. Il- process huwa li n-nies jimlew l-applikazzjoni li tinvolvi ukoll li l-applikanti jġibu tlett ittri ta’ referenza, l-kondotta ta’ pulizija u certifikat mediku.

Wara li jinġabru l-applikanti kollha, ikun hemm il-process talintervista fejn jiġu magħżula lpartecipanti li naraw li għandhom kwalitajiet tajba biex jagħmlu esperjenza bħal din.

“Il-voluntiera mbgħad ikollhom diversi laqgħat ta’ formazzjoni, biex mhux biss isiru jafu lil xulxin imma jkollhom idea x’ inhu mitlub minnhom u kif jistgħu jippreparaw għal dan isservizz. Il-partecipanti jkunu mistennija li jħallsu għall-ispejjez kollha biex jagħmlu esperjenza bħal din, dan ifisser, kemm il-passaġġ, insurance, akkomadazzjoni u l-ikel li jkunu ser jikkunsmaw waqt lesperjenza. Normalment lispiza għal esperjenza ta’ tlett ġimgħat ġewwa l-Albanija titla

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

|

19

Taw lilna ferħ sabiħ li diffiċli ssibu filmaterjaliżmu li ngħixu fih

għal madwar €600,” spjegatli fid-dettal Scicluna.

A2B (Aid to the Balkans) hija organizzazzjoni Ingliża mmexxija mill-Albaniżi li permezz ta’ ċentru edukattiv li jservi ta’ kindergarden u ċentru għall-komunita jindirizzaw ilfaqar fiż-żona daqskemm jagħtu tama u futur lill-għadd kbir ta’ tfal u żgħażagħ.

Mistoqsija kif irnexxilkom jagħmlu kollaborazzjoni magħhom, Scicluna weġbitni: “L-Albanija ilna nitilgħu sa minn Ottubru 2015, konna nagħmlu xogħol ieħor ma għaqda oħra ġewwa l-istess post li qegħdin l-A2B. Rajna li x-xogħol magħhom ikun iktar għal qalbna, u minn hemm hekk ma erġajnix ħarisna lura.

Ma nimmaġinawniex naħdmu ma għaqda oħra apparti huma, fihom f ’dan iz-zmien sibna familja oħra.”

Bil-flus li tiġbor minn attivitajiet imtellgħin matul is-sena Passi & Beyond setgħet mhux biss tindirizza diversi bżonnijiet materjali ta’ familji differenti, imma tat ukoll taħriġ lillgħalliema u volontiera tal-post dwar metodi edukattivi ta’ kif wieħed jaħdem ma’ persuni b’ diżabilta. Ħallejt f’idejha sabiex telabora aktar dwar dan il-fatt.

“Il-kuncett ta’ inklużjoni għadu fi stadju bikri ħafna ġewwa l-Albanija, li l-prattika tiegħu fadlilha ħafna taraġ differenti xi jsiru biex tkun mifruxa bħala prattika komuni. Billi ġewwa l- għaqda hemm diversi membri li huma intizi fis-settur ta’ sisabilta, sa minn Ottubru 2017 bdejna nagħtu taħriġ lill-impjegati

fuq dan is-settur. Kellhom taħriġ li jvarja fuq diversi kundizzjonijiet, l-izvilupp tat-tfal, u x’metodi tista tapplika ma’ tfal li juri li għandhom certa problemi biex jitgħallmu.”

Xtaqt inkun naf ukoll jekk Passi & Beyond tgħinx biss familji fl-Albaniji u għaliex dan il-pajjiz biss u mhux xi pajjiz ieħor jew xi oħrajn, u kif żvolġiet l-idea li jiffokaw fuq l-Albanija.

“Għalkemm l-ewwel proġett tagħna kien ġewwa l-Albanija fi Sajf ta’ 2017, xtaqna nesploraw post ieħor. Filfatt morna lewwel darba ġewwa l-Filippini.

Hemm hekk għamilna kuntatt ma’ sorijiet tal-Qalb ta’ Ġesu, fejn esplorajna fiex stajna ngħinu. Is-sajf li għadda erġajna morna bi grupp ta’ għaxar persuni fejn ix-xogħol tagħna ikun ukoll ma’ tfal u familji filbzonn. Il-pjan huwa li dan issajf nerġgħu nmorru wkoll.”

Kont naf ukoll li fil-passat Passi & Beyond iffinanzjat parti mir-rijabilitazzjoni tal-House of Opportunities li llum qegħda tilqa’ u tagħti futur lil għadd ta’ żgħażagħ orfni, kif ukoll għenet fir-ristrutturar ta’ playinġ field f ’wieħed miċ-ċentri ta’ A2B. “A2B għandna l-viżjoni li ma’ nies li taħdem dejjem iżżidilhom is-sens ta’ dinjita’. Il-playing field li rranġajna sservi bħala mezz ta’ rikrejazzjoni għal tfal li ma għandhomx access għal ġugarelli personali tagħhom u wisq inqas għal teknoloġija li tgħinhom jaljenaw il-ħin. Hu ta’ unur għalina kull darba li nmorru f ’dan il-post naraw tfal jilgħabu fih. Sular mill-house of opportunities isservi bħala halfway house għal dawk iz-

zgħazagħ li sa 16 -il sena kienu jgħixu f ’xi istituzzjoni. Din iddar isservi bħala tappa importanti biex ikomplu jistudjaw jew isibu xogħol minflok jaqgħu f’xi vizzju ikraħ bħal droga jew prostituzzjoni. Aħna bħalissa qedgħin fil-process li niffinalizzaw sular li hemm f ’din id-dar, li l- ħsieb tiegħu hu li jservi bħala B&B biex b’hekk il-flus li jidħlu minnu jagħmlu tajjeb għall-ispejjeż ta’ sular ta’ taħtu, b’hekk jagħmel il-proġett sustenibbli,” sostniet miegħi.

Konxja mill-fatt li bħalissa Passi & Beyond qegħda taħdem sabiex fil-futur qarib, flimkien ma’ A2B , tiftaħ skola żgħira għal persuni b’diżabilta’, ridt inkun naf x’tip ta’ xogħol ikun qed isir minn hawn Malta.

“Matul is-sena skolastika li bħalissa qedgħin fiha qed isir pilot project fejn hemm klassi ta’ erbatax il- tifel u tifla li qed tħadden kuncetti ta’ inkluzzjoni. Fl-esperjenza li għaddiet f ’Dicembru biddilna l-ħitan u għamilnihom iktar attrajenti għat-tfal. Tul is-sena nitilgħu b’mod regolari biex nkomplu nagħtu taħriġ lill-impjegati u nevalwaw x’inhu jaħdem u fiex nistgħu nmorru aħjar.”

Kompliet tgħidli li bħalissa ġewwa l-għaqda tagħhom hemm madwar 40 voluntier.

“L-għaqda tagħna hija maqsuma fi stratti u dipartimenti differenti. Billi aħna assocjazzjoni kull sena jkollna AGM u lmembri jivvutaw għal dawk ilvoluntiera li jixtiequ li jmexxu din l- organizazzjoni. L-irwol ta’ dawn in-nies imbgħad ikun li jmexxu lill-membri l-oħra li qedgħin maqsumin f’4 dipartimenti fix-xogħol li jkollna minn attivita għal oħra. Dawn iddipartimenti huma tal-marketing, li xogħlhom huma li jippromovu inizjattivi li tkun qed taghmel l-ghaqda mal-pubbliku generali, d-dipartiment tal-fund raising li huwa l-moħħ wara lattivitajiet differenti li nagħmlu matul is-sena biex nigbru l-fondi li jintuzaw fil-progetti li għandna. It- tielet dipartiment huwa dak ta’ team building li xogħlu huwa li kull tant żmien jorganizza attivitajiet biex inzommu l-komunita ta’

bejnietna ħajja. L-ahhar dipartiment huwa l-hands on volunteer department li fih ikun hemm voluntiera li jkunu ser jagħmlu xi esperjenza, dawn ikollhom diversi laqgħat ta’ formazzjoni biex jgħinuhom jippreparaw għal esperjenzi bhal dawn.”

Matul din l-intervista ma stajtx ma nimmaginax li jkunu diversi fatturi li l-voluntiera ta’ Passi & Beyond jaffacjaw bħal meta jaraw u jmissu l-faqar u jindirizzawh b’azzjoni ta’ mħabba żgħira kemm hi żgħira, u b’ferħ f ’qalbhom.

B’hekk ridt nara xi tkun ir-reazzjoni taghhom u Scicluna bhala president kif tiggwidhom.

“Filwaqt li l-formazzjoni tgħin ħafna biex il-voluntiera jkunu ppreperati għall-esperjenza hekk, il-veru xogħol irid isir waqt li l-voluntiera qedghin jitmessu mill-esperjenzi li qed jaraw. Għaldaqstant b’hekk nesigu li kull gurnata waqt lesperjenza jkun hemm zewg waqfiet importanti. Wahda hija l-evalwazzjoni tal-gurnata fejn kull wiehed isemmi punti li laqtuh, ohrajn li le u ohrajn li jistghu jkunu ahjar. Din tghin hafna biex min ikun qed imexxi il-grupp jifhem il-membri fejn qedghin, u bis-sahha tal-esperjenza jigwidhom u jassistihom fejn hemm bzonn.

Mument iehor ta’ waqfien huwa li jkollna sessions kemm ta’ team building, kif ukoll ta’ sharing minn lenti spiritwali.

Ta min ngharrfu li esperjenza bhal din tqanqal hafna emozzjonijiet individwali gewwa lpersuna, u ta’ min wiehed jieqaf u jahseb fuqhom ħa jkun jista jipprocessa dak li jitla.

Hafna mill-voluntiera isostnu li jdumu ftit ma jigu f ’tagħhom wara esperjenza bhal din ghax tkun missithom b’diversi metodi u tibqa tixtieq li għadek tghix f ’dik ir-realta li esperjenzaw,” sostniet mieghi.

Kont naf ukoll li bejn l-ahhar tas-sena li ghaddiet u l-bidu ta’ din is-sena, disa’ voluntieri millgħaqda Passi & Beyond marru jqattgħu l-ewwel tas-sena

Peqin, villaġġ fqir fiċ-ċentru talAlbanija flimkien ma’ familji Albanizi fil-bzonn. Dan kien propju bejn is-27 ta’ Diċembru 2018 u l-5 ta’ Jannar 2019.

Hemmhekk għamlu xogħlijiet ta’ manutenżjoni f ’ċentru edukattiv li matul is-sena jilqa’ tfal u familji vulnerabbli.

Qassmu xi ikel lil għadd kbir ta’ familji għall-ewwel tas-sena, likbar festa għall- Albaniżi.

“In-nies ta’ Peqin iltaqjna maghhom is-sajf li għadda għall-ewwel darba. Huma nies eskluzi mill-kumplament tassocjeta minhabba li għandhom il-fama li jisirqu u huma kkunsidrati bħala outcast tas-socjeta.

Meta għinna b’dawn il-metodi lil din il-komunita għarafna li ma stajniex inmorru ifqar minn hekk. Kienu nies li laqawna b’idejhom miftuħa, u mis-semplicita tagħhom taw lilna ferħ sabiħ li difficli ssibu fil-materjalizmu li ngħixu fih. L-ikla li tajnihom kienet kbira biex titma familja sħiħa li normalment ikun fiha diversi tfal.

Kliemhom stess kien, “L-ikel ser niehdu pjacir nikluh, imma anke meta ser jispicca mhux ser ninsew li xi ħadd ftakar fina u gie jzurna, imlejtuna bi tama li ma aħniex minsija.”

Lejn l-aħħar ta’ din l-intervista staqsejtha xi jridu jagħmlu dawk il-persuni interessati filvolontarjat magħhom. Filfatt bħalissa hemm l-applikazzjoijiet miftuħa kemm għall-esperjenza tal-Albanija, kif ukoll talFilippini. Min hu interessat jista jagħmel kuntatt fuq passiandbeyond@gmail.com u 7905 6208 jew 9914 3943.

Fl-aħħarnett, Scicluna tħeġġeġ lin-nies li mqar darba f ’ħajjithom jagħmlu esperjenza ta’ volontarjat.

“Hi xi ħaġa li tibdlek u tgħinek tagħraf x’hemm, anke ftit lil hinn minna. Vera tonfoq il-flus, u tuza leave bħal safra oħra, imma l-ebda destinazzjoni ma tqajjem l-emozzjonijiet li kapaci tqajjem esperjenza ta’ volontarjat,” temmet tgħid Scicluna.

20

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

EXHIBITION

LITTLE

WONDERS

The Annual Premiere Scale Model Exhibition was testimony to the artistic capability of Maltese modellers.

S

cale model enthusiasts flocked to the 38th Annual Premiere Scale Model Exhibition at the Malta Maritime Museum in Vittoriosa, held last March. The various high-standard models which were on display are considered veritable works of art and are testimony of the capability of Maltese modellers.

The models on exhibit will consist of civil and military aircraft, cars, trucks and motorbikes, armoured vehicles and various classes of ships, all from different eras and scenarios, as well as a section dedicated to figurines. Many of these models have won awards and placed well in international events.

As Malta’s representatives of the International Plastic Modellers’ Society (IPMS), the Society for Scale Modellers has been promoting scale modelling in Malta for the past 38 years and has locally and internationally become synonymous with the high standards in model-making of its members. In its continued effort to ensure that this expression of art remains popular, the society strives to introduce youngsters to the hobby by means of its exhibitions and workshops in scale modelling.

Visitors this year could also follow the process of model construction as members of the society worked real-time on models at work-stations purposely set up.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

PHOTOS: MATTHEW MIRABELLI

|

21

22

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ ApRIl 2019

SPORT

FAMILY

Harry Edwards

FOOTBALL The Edwards family gave Maltese football three fine footballers, says Carmel Baldacchino.

T

he Edwards family, like most other Maltese families of that era, was a large and boisterous working-class family, from the cradle of Maltese football, Cospicua. Football seemed to run in the blood of the Edwards family because it gave Maltese football three fine footballers. George and Harry were top-class goalkeepers while the third brother Johnnie was a classic full-back of the pre-World War II era.

We know very little about the eldest brother George, except that he was one of the best goalkeepers of his era. His career spanned between 1914 and 1920 during which he kept goal for Cottonera United, Paola Rovers, Cospicua Rangers and Ħamrun Spartans.

George’s career spanned World War I when Malta was transformed into a huge hospital to treat the casualties of war.

It was a great era for Maltese football because many British football stars came to Malta with the Services and they turned out for their regiment’s team in prestigious matches against Maltese teams.

In the 1917-18 season George was picked twice by the MFA League XI to play against two of the best British service teams on the island. His career was cut short at the end of World War II when he emigrated to the US. Here, it is said, he continued to play football for American teams formed by European migrants.

The second brother, Johnnie was born in Cospicua in 1911.

He was big and strong as an ox. A contemporary once described him to me as tall and strong with a shot which could bring down a brick wall.

These were the ingredients which made a good full-back in his era. However, Edwards was not only big and strong

but he was also a good defender and he could tackle anything that moved.

He kicked his first ball with Cottonera United in 1931 but he started to be noticed when he played in the Amateur League with the Constitutionals of Paola. In 1932, when the club turned professional and changed its name to Hibernians FC, he formed part of one of the strongest defences on the island.

He stayed with Hibernians for four seasons. During this early period of his career, he took part in many prestigious matches including the classic 1934 Cassar Cup semi-final against HMS Royal Sovereign which has since become part of the myths and legends of Maltese football.

Johnnie Edwards distinguished himself in these games with his tough tackling and close marking. His performances stood out more against British Service opponents renowned for their physical strength and neversay-die spirit. Those memorable encounters made him a star overnight and from then on, he was wooed and feted by the major clubs of the island.

In 1936 he accompanied Floriana as a guest player on their tour of Algiers. During this period, St George’s were building up a strong team in a bid to win back some of their past glories one of their first moves was to sign Johnnie Edwards as a professional. Johnnie’s salary of £12 a month was a record for those times.

Strengthened with foreign players of the calibre of Puschmann, Frisch, Drucker and Taggart, the Saints had a very strong team, but the anticipated success never came and the next season, Edwards joined Sliema Wanderers.

With Sliema, Johnnie reached his peak. In two glorious sea-

Johnnie Edwards

sons he won two Championship and two Cassar Cup medals.

Like his brothers, George and Harry, Johnnie was an automatic choice for the National XI and during his career he played three times for the MFA XI against visiting foreign teams.

In 1939-40 he re-joined St George’s, but an injury cut short his career and he had to retire.

In 1946 he was persuaded by Naxxar Lions to make a comeback. The sojourn at Naxxar seemed to give a new life to the old warhorse and during the next two seasons he turned out for his old clubs Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers.

He died suddenly in October 1954 when still in the best of life.

Harry Edwards was born in Cospicua on November 6,

1913. Maltese football has always been blessed with fine goalkeepers and Harry was certainly one of the best.

Harry started his career in 1931 with Hibernians in the Amateur League. When Hibs were promoted to the First Division of the MFA league in 1932, Harry was a prominent member of the team. He made his league debut on January 28, 1933 against Sliema Rangers in a match, which Hibs won 3-1.

Harry was an instant success in the First Division and the other clubs started to cast covetous eyes at Hibs’ brilliant goalkeeper. He was a fearless and agile goalkeeper in the tradition of other great Maltese goalkeepers, Johnnie Perrin and

Emmanuel ‘Gejta’ Azzopardi.

The following season however, he messed up his copybook when he was found guilty of causing the postponement of a match between Hibs and Sliema.

In the 60th minute of this game Sliema’s Micallef charged and knocked out Edwards. This enraged the crowd and some of them started to insult Micallef every time he touched the ball. On one occasion Micallef called a policeman for satisfaction, but hardly had he done so that a riot started. Spectators jumped into the field and attacked the players.

Edwards dashed across the ground to hit Micallef in retaliation for the earlier incident.

Groups of frenzied spectators,

SENIOR TIMES ‒ ApRIl 2019

|

23

NEWS

Celebrating a traditional Easter

C

George Edwards

A contemporary once described him to me as tall and strong with a shot which could bring down a brick wall widely hitting out at everything and everybody in sight, transformed the pitch into a battlefield. Edwards paid dearly for his misconduct, because he was suspended for the whole of season 1933-34.

In 1935, the famous goalkeeper, Joe Nicholl brother of the great Tony Nicholl retired from competitive football and Sliema enticed Edwards away from Hibernians in an attempt to fill the void left by their great goalkeeper. Edwards was an instant success. He stayed with the Wanderers up to the end of season 1938-39 helping the Blues to win the championship three times, the FA Trophy twice and the Cassar Cup twice.

In 1939 he joined St George’s.

It was a memorable season for

Cospicua and with Harry’s help the Saints won the Christmas Cup. During the war Harry joined the RAF keeping goal regularly for the Command XI, which at the time was full of British professionals.

After the war he re-joined his old club Hibernians but after one season he returned to Sliema, helping the Blues to win another League Championship. By now however, he was getting on in years and the Blues had a ready replacement in Lolly Rizzo. Edwards retired in 1949 after a long and successful career which spanned over 12 seasons. In all he played 87 first-class games 52 of them in the league at a time when a club only played a handful of matches each season.

Edwards was also an automatic choice for the National team. He was picked three times to place against visiting foreign clubs and 12 time in prestigious matches against British Service XI’s. He was also picked to play once for the MFA Amateur XI. At club level, Harry also played 13 times against foreign clubs in tourneys.

Harry was best known for his sorties out of his box to clear difficult and dangerous situations. This was something which was not done in his day when the goalkeeper was expected to stay on his line. He was also known for the way he celebrated when he made a particular difficult save, hence his nickname of ‘Busuni’. He died on August 26, 2005 aged 91.

asa Antonia Nursing and Residential Home in Balzan has been gearing up for the annual traditional Holy Week and Easter festivities.

A lot has been happening, and residents were kept active with new activities every week.

Marking the beginning of springtime, it started with the preparations of Easter crafts and the baking of traditional figolli for which residents also gave a helping hand.

Activities reached their climax this week for Holy Week.

Paul Tanti, an employee who is an enthusiast of Holy Week artefacts, meticulously worked on a set of ten symbols relating the passion of Christ which he displayed in the lounge area. While another employee, Paul Farrugia, brought over a set of miniature holy week statues called vari tal-Ġimgħa lKbira owned by his father Frankie Farrugia.

Balzan’s St Gabriel’s Band Club held the traditional Palm Sunday procession with branches, animals and reenactors in the home’s parking area. The residents were also entertained by the Balzan Ladies Choir.

The chapel which was open to the public also included the Holy Sepulchre.

This was followed by the Easter Triduum on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday ceremonies, and the festivities will take a livelier turn on Easter Monday when the residents will be hosted to a special lunch celebra-tion complete with a lamb choice, chocolates, an Easter gift for each resident, and live music.

“At Casa Antonia we love to celebrate all special occasions. Easter is a unique celebration and our residents love and appreciate the homely feeling we create,” said Sarah Cassar, general manager at Casa Antonia.

“This is also one of the reasons why Casa Antonia, a home surrounded by beautiful gardens, has established itself as one of the top nursing and residential care homes in Malta,” Dr Cassar added.

For more information call on 2149 6277 or e-mail info@casa-antonia.com.mt.

24

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

CARS

KEEP ON TRUCKING

J

B OE

T US U T IL

Childhood memories drives the Cortis family’s love of trucks, Joe Busuttil from the Old Motors Club says.

I

n the early 1950s, when Malta was still rebuilding many of its war-ravaged sites, and farmers and farmland were still strong forces to be reckoned with, the big truck was the undisputed king of the road. Whether harnessed in the construction sector or by the agricultural community, the truck was omnipresent, more often than not brandishing its bright red cabin and green unhooded wooden or iron box.

Many trucks were personalised by being given names, sometimes of saints, prominently displayed in large letters on both sides of the bonnet. The name was then complemented by some intricate artistic and colourful design painted in the middle of both cabin doors. For many families, the big truck represented their livelihood.

Such a truck was to be found in the Cortis family, who tended large tracts of farmland in Mtarfa. The father, John, had a 1951 Bedford A

Type, and used it intensively for agricultural purposes. His large family of six boys and one girl grew up with the Bedford as their constant companion and provider.

“I learnt to drive on it when I was just 12-years-old – in the fields, of course,” admits Paul, one of the brothers.

“We all developed a strong emotional attachment to it, and this long-term relationship led us to keep the truck working for as long as possible. In fact it was still going strong up to nine years ago.

But then it gave up the ghost – however, we did not give up on it, and it is still in the family, awaiting restoration.”

Bedford was a brand of vehicles produced by Vauxhall Motors in the UK. Established in 1930 and constructing commercial vehicles, Bedford was a leading and successful industrial truck brand, selling light, medium and heavy trucks throughout the world.

Paul learnt the carpentry trade and left the fields, but

the fields in the shape the truck did not leave him. The thought uppermost in his mind was that one day he would acquire a truck similar to that of his father. Eventually, he heard through the grapevine that there was an old truck for sale in Naxxar.

“It was a 1955 Bedford D Type, that had spent years as an impressed vehicle with the former telephone department.

It was not in a very bad condition, and I decided to buy it.”

Soon afterwards, Paul decided to dismantle it and embarked on a full restoration project. To start with, he searched all over Malta and Gozo, looking for old trucks that could be cannibalised for essential parts. Six such vehicles were bought, one of them for €50 just for the headlamps. The Perkins Distributor 6354 engine was replaced by a Bedford 300 one.

All his other brothers – Joseph, Emanuel, Carmelo, Christian, and Tony – plus some friends, rallied round to give a helping hand in the project. Some parts

were not easy to procure, and here his son Darren comes in for a special mention, for he searched high and low to source them from places such as the UK, the US, Canada, Cyprus, and Morocco.

The restoration took seven years to complete, but looking at the finished truck, it was well worth the while.

One of the old trucks bought

by Paul for cannibalisation was a 1953 Bedford A Type. His brother Joseph was looking around to buy a classic car, and Paul persuaded him to go for this truck.

“To say that it was in a bad condition is an understatement,” Joseph laments. “For it had long been abandoned in a quarry in Zebbiegh, buried under a large pile of iron bars.

But it reminded me of our family’s truck, and it went for it.”

Encouraged by what Paul was doing on his truck, Joseph decided to start restoring the Bedford. Problems proliferated, especially the cabin,

because it had been eroded by rust. The body also required rust removal, while the Perkins P6 engine was replaced by an original Bedford one. Parts were a headache and had to come from all over the world – the backlights were located in India. Again, his brothers, especially Emanuel, gathered around to assist him in the restoration, which also took around seven years to complete.

The restored Bedford is a joy to behold, and one would have thought that after all the blood, sweat and tears shed over the lengthy restoration project, Joseph would sit back and enjoy his labour of love.

But old motors mania works in mysterious ways.

“My brother-in-law, Brian, had just bought a farm in Rabat, and in a derelict barn there, he found an old truck.

He asked me whether I wanted it, for he was going to throw it away – how could I refuse?” states Joseph in justification of his acquisition.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

|

25

NEWS

PHOTOS: TONY VASSALLO, OLD MOTORS CLUB

Dealing with loss for a living

W

e often take the persons who take care of the elderly for granted. We assume that these people come to work every morning with a smile on their face, a willingness to care and a never ending patience – all attributes we consciously look for in staff working with the elderly. However do we ever stop to think how staff, who come to work day in day out, feel when residents they have cared for, sometimes for years, pass away?

Having worked in long-term care for many years, I myself still cannot get used to a resident passing away and I always feel a sense of loss.

Some residents build stronger bonds with staff than others, but all of them are missed once they are gone. Carers and nurses in long-term care will tell you stories about being at their bedsides during their last hours and most remember every detail. Relatives refer to them for strength and consolation. It is not always easy to separate the emotional from the professional and I have seen many times a nurse or carer cry when a resident passes away. We are, after all, all human.

We can often as managers take our staff for granted in

The 1958 Bedford Type J was in a very bad state, having only the chassis, differential, and the front axle. He has been working on it for the last four years, and among other things, he has been procuring a cabin, a box, and a Bedford 6 cylinder petrol engine, in order to complete the restoration.

Another brother, Emanuel, would have also liked to acquire an old truck like the one of his young years. However, lack of space at home made this dream impossible to realise. Instead, he went looking for a classic car. The father of a friend of his in Siggiewi had a black, 1956 Opel Kapitan, and after the old man passed away, his friend wanted to sell it.

However, the two did not agree on a price, and for four years, it stood idle in a garage.

Eventually, they ran into each

other again, and a deal was done. “Despite the inactive years, the petrol 6L engine started without a hitch”, observes Emanuel. Despite the perfect condition of the

The restoration took seven years to complete, but looking at the finished truck, it was well worth the while

German car, he changed the radiator, plugs and some rubber rings.

The three brothers and their old vehicles are frequent faces at Old Motors Club events. The two big trucks are usually placed near each other during static shows, and without a shadow of a doubt, attract many people, both local and foreign.

On one occasion some time ago, a British tourist just fell in love with the two vehicles, and waving an open cheque book, approached the two brothers and asked them to come out with any figure they wanted, as long as they sold them to him.

It goes without saying that Paul and Joseph politely refused. The Beatles sang that money can’t buy you love. For the Cortis brothers, no amount of money can buy you their beloved, meticulously restored Bedford trucks.

this regard and not appreciate that they too are grieving. We expect them to go on with their work with a smile. Not many stop to ask if they are fine. Often in healthcare we speak about support being given to nurses in ICU setting or admittance and emergency, where the stressors are considered to be great.

However little is discussed or given importance to staff working with the elderly who are faced with death day in day out; who are expected to go on with the job even after having lost someone they cared for, for years.

We expect them to deal with seeing someone slowly approaching end of life, or getting more and more debilitated without batting an eyelid. They too are however coping with losses.

I feel there should be more awareness about this subject if we truly want our staff to keep on caring and not become immune to pain and suffering, be it physical or emotional. We have to recognise that their own experience of loss exists and give it its significant importance. As managers we have to find the time to debrief staff after a death and also to show care and understanding by asking them how they are especially when they are caring for someone who is palliative or at the end stages of life. If this does not happens, we might unknowingly be cultivating a culture of indifference which will ultimately reflect itself in how carers will take care of residents.

They will seek to remain detached in order not to have to cope with the feelings that caring brings with it especially after a loss. The onus to avoid this from happening stands with us as managers.

Charmaine Attard is director of care for Hilltop Gardens and Simblija Care Home.

26

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

NEWS

L-Għid: Il-qofol u l-għajn tal-festi kollha Mons. Valent Borg, Direttur Missio Malta

I

l-festi li sejrin niċċelebraw f ’dawn il-jiem qaddisa – il-festi talGħid il-Kbir – huma lqofol u l-għajn tal-festi kollha li niċċelebraw matul is-sena.

L-Iben ta’ Alla sar bniedem bħalna (Ġw. 1:14) biex jieħu fuqu dak li hu tagħna l-bnedmin – id-dnub u l-mewt – u fl-istess waqt jagħtina dak li hu Tiegħu ta’ Alla – il-ħajja ta’ dejjem.

Din il-bidla tassew talgħaġeb seħħet bil-mewt u l-qawmien ta’ Ġesù għall-ħajja.

Għalhekk San Pawl jgħallimna: “Jekk Kristu ma qamx mill-imwiet, fiergħa hi lpredikazzjoni tagħna, u fiergħa wkoll il-fidi tagħkom” (1Kor. 15:14), għaliex kieku kien ikun bħal ħafna nies kbar li għamlu isem u influwenzaw l-istorja tagħna, imma daqshekk. Qabarhom għadu magħna sal-lum, imma xhieda tal-kobor ta’ Kristu hija sewwa sew qabru, imma vojt għaliex qam tassew millmewt (Lk. 24:6).

Din l-aħbar ma tistax timliena ħlief bil-ferħ u bl-entuż-

jażmu bħalma għamlet flappostli u fl-ewwel Insara (Atti 4:31). Dawn saru tassew nies ‘ġodda’ billi warrbu l-ħajja l-antika tagħhom, imċappsa bis-suppervja, regħba u egoiżmu, u saru tassew ħaġa waħda bejniethom (Atti 4:32). Hekk li ġibdu fuqhom lattenzjoni tal-pagani li bdew jgħidu fuqhom: “Araw kemm iħobbu lil xulxin u jgħinu lil xulxin minn qalbhom”.

Din il-ħajja ta’ mħabba u ta’ rispett reċiproku ħolqot ambjent hekk sabiħ li tnisslu fih ħafna u ħafna vokazzjonijiet missjunarji. Ħafna kienu jħossu l-bżonn li jmorru fid-dinja pagana jxandru lil Kristu li tassew miet u tassew qam mill-mewt (Atti 18:24). Aħna lkoll isseħibna f ’dan il-misteru tal-Għid tal-Mulej permezz tas-sagrament tal-magħmudija, u lkoll nistqarru li aħna Nsara. Iżda qegħdin illum bħall-ewwel Insara ningħarfu li aħna tassew dixxipli ta’ Kristu Rxoxt?

Dawk li għadhom m’għarfux lil Kristu bħala s-Salvatur

waħdieni tad-dinja u dawk li tilfu d-don tal-fidi li rċevew fil-magħmudija, jistgħu jgħidu fuqna dak li l-pagani kkumentaw fuq l-Insara tal-bidu? Ilħajja komunitarja qiegħda tkun mixtla ta’ vokazzjonijiet missjunarji?

Hu dmir u responsabbiltà tagħna li d-don tal-fidi li rċevejna permezz talappostlu missierna San Pawl, inxandruh mal-oħrajn permezz tal-kelma msaħħa bl-eżempji tal-ħajja tagħna.

Dan hu l-ewwel dmir tagħna ta’ nsara li nxandru lil Kristu. It-tieni li ngħinu minn qalbna lil kull min għandu bżonn l-għajnuna tagħna, indipendentement mir-razza, kulur, partit jew reliġjon.

Nitolbu lill-Mulej jgħinna ħalli nħallu d-dawl tiegħu jiddi fuqna lkoll biex insiru ‘dawl’ għal dawk kollha li niltaqgħu magħhom biex jagħrfu limħabba u t-tjieba ta’ Alla għalina l-bnedmin.

Addattament ta’ Claudia Cini

Unique opportunity to participate in Good Friday re-enactment show

L

ouie’ Noir has been established for these last past years, and during these years it organized several modelling competitions and drama productions including shows, musicals, comic drama, and also Good Friday pageants.

In all its productions, Louie’ Noir always searched for modern innovation so that all families will benefit from such unique talented shows including talents like ballet, hip hop, break dancers, real animals, fire jugglers, stilt walkers and more. Furthermore, Louie’ Noir has always given opportunity to new faces and local talents.

Louie’ Noir is giving the opportunity for all those interested to participate in

the Good Friday procession in a unique and different way.

This opportunity is being given to all those interested to participate and act in a Good Friday re-enactment show for the coming year 2020 at Montekristo.

For this show, Louie’ Noir is looking for a good number of persons interested to participate. Ages should be from sixteen years and over. No acting experience needed.

All those interested can contact Louie’ Noir on 7946 7258 or e-mail louienoir@hotmail.com.

A meeting with further information will be held for all those who will apply.

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

SUBSCRIBE TO

OCTOBER 2018 Malta’s monthly

newspaper for the

elderly

SEE PAGE 7

Senior Times is Malta’s newspaper for the elderly. Issued monthly, it is packed with interesting content, in English and Maltese, as well as competitions, pursuits and more.

SEE PAGES 8 &

SEE PAGES 4 &

Residents of State, Church and private homes for the elderly receive Senior Times every month for free. *Normal subscription is €12 for one full year.

Cheques payable to Allied Newspapers Limited.

5

aper for the elderly

newsp Malta’s monthly

SEE PAGE 18

NOVEMBER 2018

Receive a copy of Senior Times, every month at home for one full year (12 issues) for the special price of €10* (postage and VAT included). This is a special offer available until May 31. New Senior Times subscribers will also receive one free paperback from a wide range of available titles.

To subscribe, send your details (name, surname, address and payment details) to amanda.gauci@timesofmalta.com. You can also subscribe by completing the attached form and sending it together with payment to Senior Times, Allied Newspapers Limited, Triq L-Intornjatur, Mrieħel, BKR 3000.

9

Interview with Max Farrugia

SEE PAGES 4 &

5

SEE PAGE 8

Ê

I would like to subscribe to a full year (12 issues) of Senior Times.

Name Surname Address Tel. Email If you would like to receive promotional material at home, courtesy of Senior Times advertisers, tick this box:

Receive one free random paperback with every full-year subscription of Senior Times.

A WIDE RANGE OF TITLES IS AVAILABLE.

|

27

28

|

SENIOR TIMES ‒ APRIL 2019

OPINION

On chocolate eggs and moderation

CH R I S T I N E G A

LE

A

Moderation and mindfulness go hand in hand to help us achieve equilibrium, says Christine Galea from the Cana Movement.

T

he egg has long been a symbol of fertility and rebirth in many cultures and has been associated with the celebration of Easter for countless centuries.

Originally, eggs were connected with ancient pagan practices related to Spring rites, however, with the rise of Christianity in Western Europe, the church adapted some of these pagan customs and the egg came to symbolize new life through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. So much so, that some Christians regard the egg as the symbol of the tombstone being rolled away from the sepulchre of Christ.

Over the years, the gifting of chocolate Easter eggs became a quite a trend, and in nonChristian cultures, there are people who associate Easter with a deluge of chocolate eggs, rather than with the commemoration of the Resurrection.

Another symbol of Easter is the rabbit, which in the pagan

world, was viewed as the start of all life and thought to have magical powers. But, be it eggs or bunnies, the bottom line is that during Eastertime, professional chocoholics like me end up taking undue advantage of the vast array of chocolate that appears on the supermarket shelves, and feature it on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Indeed, chocolate is a popular food product that millions enjoy every day, not only at Easter; and its unique, rich and sweet taste in unparalleled by any other delicacy, at least in my book. After its first discovery by the Olmec civilization is Mesoamerica, it came to Europe, following the exploration of the Americas, and has since become popular in the wider world.

Regrettably, chocolate has a bad reputation for causing weight gain and inducing other health-related hazards such as diabetes, coronary heart disease and hypertension. However, in spite of this, there are also a number

of health benefits that may be associated with this delicious, if potentially naughty, treat. For example, it can help lower cholesterol levels and prevent cognitive decline.

At the end of day, whether good or bad for us, it is comforting to know that if eaten in moderation, there are no great risks.

Which leads me to my reflection. If you had to ask a group of people what the phrase “do everything in moderation” means, each person will offer a different answer, because temperance – which is defined as moderation and self-restraint – is subjective.

Moderation is the key to whatever we do – and also to all that we eat. In spite of the fact that it is the prevailing view of

psychology that health, wellbeing and success all rest on this one principle – ‘in all things moderation’ – our modern-day culture valorises extremes and having the best of everything or being the best at whatever we do, is a persistent message.

We have evolved into a generation of people who see things in black and white, rather than in shades of grey.

We tend to make life or death decisions in a split second; we place everyone in the same basket and are quick to apply categorical labels to all and sundry most efficiently.

According to Aristotle, in his ancient wisdom, a weak expression of certain characteristic traits is undesirable, yet too much constitutes a dif-

Our modern-day culture valorises extremes

ferent character flaw. For example, a man may be considered as being surly in his reluctance to please others, yet if he is too pleasing, then this can render him as being too submissive in a negative sort of way.

Moderation is also important at inter-personal level. For example, it can be harmful if one is always too cheerful, or too generous, because high doses of emotion consume so much of the giver’s time and energy, that they can cause burn-out. Moderation and mindfulness – which is one of the buzz words of our day – go hand in hand to help us achieve equilibrium. When we over-do things or even underdo, then we risk losing our balance, at the expense of our peace and happiness.

So, the next time you bite into a bar of chocolate, don’t feel so guilty about it. Enjoy it, but save a piece for next time, and just remember that the sweet spot in the middle (forgive the pun) is the ideal place to be.