Stay as sweet as you are, don't let a thing ever change you.

I have been fortunate enough to visit your beautiful island three times. I have met some wonderful people there and on Gozo which I visited many times.

I beg you, do not let the large retailers invade your holy ground. They will in time destroy the very fabric of your society and all of your small, friendly retailers and vegetable men on every corner with produce just out of the ground. They welcome me on my return which is quite unique.

Just like Terry and his lady of the Astor shop in Qawra down from the Suncrest. A lady friend called Carolyn from the Suncrest where I stay needed some information and to make a medical appointment. They did both and even taxied her to and fro without being asked. The big retailers will offer you the earth then take yours over time.

Where else does an old lady stand up on one of your rickety buses to let a man with walking sticks sit down? How can you repay that kindness?

My story is more emotional. On my first trip to Gozo in February, where I was amazed at the friendship of the Gozitans, I paid a visit to Ta' Pinu and was overcome with emotion. I returned home to my narrow boat with a folder of five postcards of well-known places in Gozo including Ta' Pinu.

In March my boy was admitted to hospital with an illness of the pancreas and was told in no uncertain terms that he was very poorly. I had lost my wife and my eldest boy only recently both through smoking. What more could be thrown at me?

I sat on my boat as I am right now using my laptop and off the back seat fell this folder, open, would you believe, at the Ta' Pinu church. How could that happen? There was no movement of the boat. I am in a marina and there was no wind that night.

I am not deeply religious but a firm Christian. I prayed that night and every night to Our Lady and made a promise that first night that whatever the outcome I would return and give thanks in the small chapel in Ta' Pinu church.

Mark was in intensive care for four months but then his condition improved. He came off life support and started to breathe on his own a little. The surgeon said: "Your boy is very strong to survive or he had some help." I agreed to both .

Mark came out of hospital at end of August after five and a half months and I returned to Gozo on November 5. I prayed in the small chapel and then walked towards the little shop counter to purchase a memento for some other people. A lady asked me if I was OK.

"Thank you, yes," I told her. "I have just been to give thanks for something special in my life." Although she was very small she gave me the biggest hug and I cried like a baby which is what I am doing now as I recall. It doesn't hurt you to do it. Thankfully some things you cannot change. .