A letter from Mrs Luisa Fraschetti which was published in The Sunday Times, May 20, 2007.
Goodbye Malta
VERY SOON my family and I will have to leave this marvellous island after living here for three years.
We came here with many worries: a new language for the children, establishing new friendships and adapting to a new culture. However, the experience has been extremely positive.
The Maltese's kindness and warm smiles have really made us feel a casa. We are so thankful to all of you who have made our stay a time of serenity, tranquillity and friendship. To me, even though it is so small, at the same time Malta is so big, so international. It makes me feel like it is the centre of the world.
I have travelled widely with my family and left so many places behind. But leaving Malta hurts as much as when I left my native Venezuela forever. This island is magical. I have always felt protected here with my family, so much that I am almost afraid to leave.
The Maltese’s simplicity, education and respect towards others are what I feel I will never find elsewhere. But the time has come to face reality and I sit down with my family to thank every one of you, our Maltese friends. Thank you to our landlady, our friends, our neighbours, our school community, administration, teachers, parents and friends, my 'second mother', and to all who know me and those who don't! Thank you for everything.
We are a Christian family and prayer is a special and fulfilling moment of happiness for us. We shall always pray that this magical island of Malta is graced forever in peace and tranquillity. We shall never forget you. May God bless you and, once again, grazzi hafna.
L. Fraschetti
Sliema