This message is long overdue and hardly requires a response. It’s just a lingering thought, fond memories and grateful thanks.

If I were to mention the most influencial words that Prof. Guido de Marco ever uttered to me, in private, and I believe, in full sincerity, it was when he decided to appoint me as coordinator in his private secretariat. He said it was going to be a “difficult job,” but that I would cope as I was “an intelligent girl”.

So there, those magic words, “an intelligent girl”. Words which nobody had ever said to me. Words which transformed a not-so-young girl, one who was just a girl with good legs... a pock-marked face (due to juvenile acne)… and of limited grey matter, into a woman who had the courage to move on and change her set way of life; to stand up for herself, fight her own battles and also have the courage to exploit her full potential.

I do not know whether his initial opinion of my brain power was ever shattered! I love to think that it was not.

The professor has always been an excellent judge of character, and proof of this are his many ex-colleagues and personal friends worldwide who influenced not only the destiny of Malta, but that of the whole of Europe and beyond.

Many have written words of encouragement. I too wish to join these hundreds of well-wishers. I am happy to hear that his health improves from day to day. May the day come when we see him going about Valletta again.