Would you know my name...if I saw you in heaven!!!

I

In March 1991, a little 5 year old boy found an open window, that was erroneously left open by the maid that was employed in this beautiful apartment in New York.

The apartment belonged to a family friend. The boy looked back, saw that his mum wasn't looking, leaned a bit more than he should have, looking at this beautiful New York landscape as millions of sun rays were kissing the clean glasses of the buildings scraping the skies.

To him, it felt like millions of people were pointing mirrors towards the sun, thus creating a reflection, slightly caressing his face.

This was just what the Mexican people did back in January 1979, when Pope John Paul's plane took off after a very successful visit in Mexico. To thank him and as a show of appreciation for what he did during his papal visit, during the take off they directed small cosmetic mirrors towards the sun and his plane, thus creating a carpet of illumination all over the country. The result was amazing.

The sun, the reflections, the landscape and all the beauty and ugliness that the big apple offers were the last thoughts the boy was thinking about, before...

He gave a last look to the inside of the room he was in, but in doing so, lost his balance and plunged down to the ground, 53 floors below. Futile was the tentative to resuscitate him. He was pronounced dead on the scene of this terrible tragedy. It took some moments, for his mum to comprehend what really happened, but these moments, moments that no parent wants to witness, happened and presented this woman and her husband and all their family with nightmares, day after day, from then onwards.

The boy's name was Conor Clapton. His mum was Lory Del Santo. But it was his dad that most of us heard of, the singer Eric Clapton. Clapton's grief following the death of his only son, was unbearable.

In the months following his son's death he wrote one of his most beautiful songs ever - Tears in Heaven...

II

It was a cold day in February 2006, two days after the feast of the lovers - Valentine's day...the song they were playing in the church, was Tears in Heaven.

I never thought I would have ever listened to it in this context. On my left hand side, my best friend was lying quietly, down in his coffin. This song was the one he preferred the most, the one that was to accompany him during his last visit to the church, the last visit to the cemetery, the last time I was going to see him.

In the months prior to his death, he went through a lot of pain due to his terminal illness, cancer. During all this time, I used to call him frequently and I also visited him when he was undergoing therapy.

Patients being treated with the type of cancer he had, usually lived - unless a miracle happened - for not more than 1 year. The most heart breaking point during all this, was seeing him on the bed, peeking towards what was once his strong, athletic looking body, disappearing right before my eyes. And worst of all, I couldn't do anything about it, other then to let it happen!!!

III

As they lowered him down the grave, the only thing that my tears weren't stopping me from doing, was to think. And I was doing that quite clearly...the memories of the time we shared together, joked, talked for hours about anything and drank our favorite beer, the Maltese gold - Cisk Lager.

What amazed me though, was that he lived more than expected. He was a fighter. But he also confessed that I played a part in that. "Jack, if it wasn't for you and all your jokes and words of encouragement, it wouldn't have been possible to talk with you right now". For me sharing some years with him during my life, and getting to know him was a privilege.

IV

Before we said our last good bye, before burying him, before he went to sleep for the last time, I asked his family to give me the permission to say something to the people that accompanied him during his last trip - the final one to the cemetery. I can still recall what I said, a message that since then I have unfortunately repeated, various times and would like to share with you today.

"He was taken from us" I started saying trying to control my emotions but barely being successful "He started sailing on a boat away from us and every knot he sailed - the more we couldn't see him, the more he disappeared right before our eyes, the closer he got to the horizon"

I then sighed and looked around before continuing...

"The closer ...he got to God...the more the boat vanished from our sight, the more it appeared on the other and while we hugged him one last time, the eternal father embraced him forever"

He eased his pain away. Finally months of torments and suffering were over. During these months though, I realised what having a real friend meant.

V

The message today is clear, be the ones that show your love to your loved ones - be the ones to mend a broken heart - be the ones that will do the first step, for we know that tomorrow another day will come but yet we do not know if they will be there to accept our apologies, our shared tears, our hand.

If anything stands as a barrier, where love rules, break the rule yourself, break the wall, flatten the path for you first and for others to follow.

Be generous not only in money but in sharing wisdom and giving away your LOVE.

A lot of peace your way people of the world, citizens of heaven.

Jack
4.1.11

And Shakespeare stood up, clapped and shouted Hallelujah!!!

To be or not to be that is the… ANSWER

Have you ever thought what will you do today?? Sort of a diary in your mind? I guess the answer is yes!! Have you ever thought how much of this is dedicated for the benefit of others? Have you ever thought that you might do one thing that would change the course of history??

The Turks decided to attack Malta in 1565 - a Bosnian Serb guy killed the Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, in Sarajevo and triggered World War I - on the 1st September 1939, Hitler decided to attack Poland, thus carrying the whole wide world in turmoil for the next 6 years.

I have a dream...the famous speech by Martin Luther King Jr in August 1963, on the steps of the Lincoln memorial and so on so forth.

All these decisions, I am more than sure, took years to plan, to be concluded. Yet, their outcome however is normally linked to a specific day – a day that changed the course of history as we know it today.

Are you ready to change the course of history? Are you ready to give a helping hand to those in need? Why do people seek popularity before values, richness in money, property and fame before that in the heart, glory on earth – a temporary one indeed, before the one waiting for each one of us in heaven – where we will permanently stay?

And hot it is…

In Maltese we have a saying that goes, when literally translated “The bread is better when its still warm”. This is used to show, that the time to settle the problems is right at the time when the problem is happening, even though anger and hatred cannot be the virtues to behold during such times.

Quoting the Dalai Lama wisely “When two people argue, it is of utmost importance that all their strength is dedicated to the current argument and not the previous ones”

People, do sometimes make us react in a way that does not show the true self. They make us react strangely. It’s like they trigger a hidden personality that sometimes goes out of control and that makes us react in ways we never imagined. But is it worth it?

Mind me, when Jesus said if you love those who love you, you aren’t going to reserve a place in heaven, he really knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but which challenge is easy?

Today, as I am writing this blog, I am realising that it is important that you listen more than you speak. Acting in silence, working behind the scenes, is something that not everyone is able to do. If things are truly coming from your heart, you do not need to proclaim victory, lift the trophy before the winner is pronounced!

Every thing will then find its own way back to its place, just like a jigsaw puzzle.

In life falling back is easy, moving on is hard. We continuously need the aid of others, the support to stand up, the shoulder to cry on, and the chance to find courage to look back at our own mistakes and learn from them.

Doing so it’s not easy but we have to believe fully in WE, US, ME and understand the fact that while some people are courageous and spontaneous other people are not…

Whatever you might believe in, whichever your destination will be, make sure that you have the right navigation sets and the right boat, for there are indeed many boats ashore but not all of them can lead you to the right destination.

…and when you have time think about these few lines that I decided to share with you...

The Lord says…

You call me the way but you don’t follow me

You call me the light but you don’t see me

You call me the purified lamb but you don’t try to follow my example

You call me the teacher but you don’t listen to me

You call me the master but you don’t serve me

You call me the shepherd but you aren’t part of my flock

You call me the forgiving but you aren’t able to forgive and forget

You call me the truth, yet you don’t believe in me

…hence do not be offended, if we shall meet face to face one day, and I shall not recognize you, for your deeds and your actions in your temporary lease of life, were overshadowed by everything that was against my teachings, everything that was against the values – just everything to crucify me again.

THE END

Take good care people, and be good to yourselves, because if you are good to yourselves you will be good to everybody else.

Jack

3.1.11

Loved till the last drop...

In these days of festivities all around the world, one cannot help but to notice all the joy - that I tend to call a temporary one, in the ways that many traditions are celebrated.

You can also say that from generation to generation things differ and others are added to make the newly discovered tradition look cooler or the old one look nicer.

In my country, a couple of years ago, some investors copied the idea of opening a wine bar somewhere in the southern part of the island. Malta is a small country and literally what you do, you can say that will echo elsewhere on the island. That was the case in there as well and within a couple of months a web, a stream of wine clubs/bars took over the islands (Malta & Gozo - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta).

Generations flocked into these newly found havens to absorb the liquid believed to have been brought directly from fountain of youth (so they say :))). Millions of litres of wine were consumed since then. I wonder if the wine bar owners tend to remember the Cana miracle, and of course, whether they expect such a miracle to re-occur, just in case they haven't stocked enough to accommodate their clients who would be eagerly awaiting that sudden yet sweet sour taste to kiss their lips during the weekend, or even daily.

Some find this as an excuse for escapism from any problem that might pop out, of any level, others to hide their shyness, while others just for the buzz of it. Whatever it is, as long as good comes out of it...well & good. But. Yes there is always a but, people tend to abuse, drink till they get drunk, till they have the fun level to such a phase where it is considered as adrenalin...and to top it all some even tend to play the heroes and drive...have you ever imagined if something was to happen to you??? or to others??? The sadness all over will be the only legacy you will have time to leave, and the goodbye if you will have the chance to, if you are lucky enough to....

So you are asking, maybe...so Jack what is today's message??? It is simple, quite simple...I am comparing real love, today, to the love you have for the wine - red or white - blood and purity.
Cause normally we tend to drink till the last drop, do we???

Now, there was one guy, long time ago, he was 30 something...he taught love, showed love, shared love, lived love and finally died for love, shed all his blood for LOVE....right till the last drop.... the same way you drink your wine bottle till the last drop....

Now are you able to do that???

May you be blessed with all the peace you want on others!! Have a nice day!!

Jack Vella
2.1.11

Fis- skiet, bil- kwiet, meta ddur il-kantuniera

Nilmhek wahdek,

fuq siggu mixhuta,

thares cassa,

lejn dinja li madwarek qisa tinsa,

li inti qeghda thoss l-ingassa,

thoss li l-biza qed teghlbek,

qed tirbah,

imma l-imhabba l'ghandek lejn dil-hajja,

qed nerga nimrah,

inhossok,

kburija,

fl-istess hin maghdura,

tahseb fuq li tahseb,

u ssaqsi,

tghid in-nies qed jghidu li sejra lura?

Nixtieq li fil-vicin,

ta' kull kelma li nikteb,

ghalik issir hajja,

ta' ferh misthoqq bla tmiem,

tghid fil genna ser ikun hemm bajja?

Nara l-immagini tieghek,

fuq il-hgieg imtappan,

int li f'dawn l-ahhar xhur,

qalbna irnexxielek isahhan,

b'dal ferh,

serh,

hena,

stenna, titlaqx,

le tmurx,

il-kantuniera li jmiss,

ghalissa ddurx,

Annabelle,

il-kliem tieghek jizboq il-hajja,

fejn in-nifs hu nieqes,

irnexxielek int tmiss qlub,

fejn il-boghod hu mittiefes,

hrabt int min kull ghawg,

u waqt li tobghod li haddiehor ikollu jqajmek,

jghinek tiekol, tixrob u dak li ma tafx int tixtarr,

dil-hajja li tahseb li warbitek,

u forsi offritlek biss imrar,

imma le, le,

bi kliemek kont int dawl,

b'ghemilek,

aqwa min idjoma jew qawl,

tajt nifs fejn l-arja kienet bahh,

wasalt int sallum,

li haddiehor li kien ser jghix iktar minnek,

spicca biex qatt ma rah,

Bil-kelma li taghti int,

bid-dahka min naha ghal ohra ta dak il wicc,

int tajtna ktieb, trid thallilna wirt,

ghal qalbna sirt,

u dan mhux bhala kapricc,

imma ghax ahna irridu nkunu,

bhax xih sagg, li kelma ta gherf, zmien ilu, kiela,

qabel hu fis-skiet, bil-kwiet,

dar il-kantuniera,

Annabelle, ahna kollha nhobbuk,

irridu ngawduk,

u jekk dak il-mument,

jasal,

w'il-Mulej ikun kuntent,

li isejjah hu dan l-anglu

nixtiqek tkun taf,

li fit-talb taghna int ghal dejjem tkun,

u din weghda tieghi, kemm haj jiena ndum,

u nghidha b'certa ciera,

fis-skiet,

bil-kwiet,

jekk int idur qabilna l-ahhar kantuniera.

The Miracle

It was meant to be their 12th Album. The year was 1989. It was the 14th year, since they tasted worldwide success. It was also meant to be the first album since their last live appearance in 1986 in Knebworth. They knew that they were rock legends, but the best...and worst were yet to come. This album included the collaboration of the four band members' combined ideas, for the very first time.

The cover picture, made an emphasis on the technology available at the time. It also utilised the fact, that choosing the 4 now familiar faces and merging them into one - symbolised the teamwork- following months and years of speculations that the days of the band were counted.

It went on to be one of the most acclaimed albums in rock history, not only because of the high level of professionalism but also because the music differed totally from the previous albums. You could feel, smell & taste, that something was different; something was going to happen soon.

One more album was to be released before the lead singer's death; another one would have been released after 4 years from the last one. But that time was still to come.

In one of the songs, one cannot help but to notice, the last remnant, significant words: - "That time will come, one day you'll see, when we can all be friends".

The four members of this band were John Deacon, Roger Taylor, Brian May and the late Freddie Mercury. The group was Queen. The album was the Miracle.

With these words I chose to start and end my first note, on the first day of a new year, to show that if you really believe, if you really feel, if you really want, you can still be the one that will bring the peace where before war breathed - you can bring light where dark used to settle, you can be the peak, the culmination of a passage in life called PEACE. Start today. Start afresh. Live forever in the hearts of those whose life you will change with a simple word that you really mean and that comes from the heart. SHARE CARE, BREATH PEACE, LIVE LOVE, FEEL COMPLETE.

Jack Vella

1st January 2011.

U I LUV U

You,

my source, my inspiration,

my country, my every nation,

my shining star wherever you are,

you my blank paper,

my pen,

you my inspiration,

and then,

I write,

I complete,

sometimes heavy,

sometimes neat,

the words are dancing in my brain,

never the same,

never again,

and as the water heads towards the fall,

and many people die,

poor people crawl,

as the sun is shining for one more day,

this is my style,

to write and to say,

that you have been living in me,

before I was born,

for everything was detailed,

planned,

before we cud understand,

that the hands of time,

and the face of eternity,

will meet one day,

in me and you,

not fantastic but true,

for the love i give you,

every single day,

expands, gets enlarged,

each second, minute, hour, day,

for your beauty and your body,

carefully I study,

like a painter,

that needs to paint,

like a long distant echo,

of which you'll get the sound as it becomes faint,

yes like that,

I want to dance my tongue,

on each section of your body,

every contour,

that my heart will lure,

into a mission,

with precision,

I plant on you a million kisses,

for its you that my heart misses,

its you the final straw,

with you eternity and imagination draw,

the real moments I have inside,

the intensification, the one to glide,

and this is my way, of all the ways that are true,

lit by destiny, I simply LOVE YOU

Iva, jien lilha nerga niehu

Kemm hi haga sabiha,

Li tara zewg anzjani,

Id f’id jimxu fil-hena,

u lilu nisthajlu jghid kburi bli tani,

Ghax illum kollna cerimonji,

Kollox suppost ward u zghar,

U imbaghad mal-ewwel nitbeghdu,

Kif nisimaw il- hoss ta’ l-ewwel nar,

U dawn it-tnejn wara ghexieren,

Ghadhom jirrikonfermaw qlubhom,

Jharsu lejn xulxin bhal ewwel darba,

Hafif u ftit kien dnubhom,

Ghax ma rawx l-affarijiet banali,

li-l-gisem ifferhu,

imma ruh itellfu,

u ghalekk huma fi zmien gwerer,

u meta griz kien is-shab,

weghdu lil xulxin imhabbithom,

sa meta gisimhom jerga jsir trab,

il hajja li taf taghder,

fl-istess hin tafghsek xi ftit,

imma jien hawn qed nimmagina,

dawn iz- zewg anzjani jimxu id f’id,

u hekk fil-hena, f’dik il-hemda,

f’dinja li kulhadd jiftahar b’rihu,

nisma mil-gdid lil anzjani itenni,

Iva, jien lilha nerga niehu.