Joseph Scicluna writes:

On November 23, at the ripe age of 81, Lina Micallef passed peacefully away while she was sound asleep.

Lina was a widow, having lost her husband Guzeppi some 10 years ago. Her daughter Marie Josette and her husband Natalino and their two children Andre and Laura were indispensable during Lina’s widowhood.

Lina’s character was something of a wonder. No sooner did one come to know Lina than she became one’s intimate friend. The more Lina aged, the bigger was her cluster of friendships.

Love was definitely characteristic of Lina. She was ever expressing herself in heartfelt loving words while the name of her deceased husband Guzeppi was ever escaping her lips. In fact, Lina was gifted with such a gentle nature that on no occasion did her husband Guzeppi feel hen-pecked.

It was he too who had made Lina so house proud. Throughout her widowhood, she repeatedly said that before his death Guzeppi had reminded her to lavish deep a love on all those who were close to both Lina and himself.

While the pangs caused by the separation of death are acute, God is so merciful as to soothe whatever anguish it brings. Yes, He will surely comfort Lina’s five sisters, among whom is my dear wife Teresina.

The Lord is sure to abide with Lina, simply because all through her life, particularly in her widowhood, she has been an upright lady blessed with several virtues, and she will not to miss Heaven’s eternal bliss.

What if beloved Lina is already sharing that celestial bliss with us?