Ivan and Maya, my two grandchildren... they've just left for the airport. They're flying, accompanied by a friend of their parents, to spend the first month of their summer holidays with their paternal grandparents in Serbia. They've been so excited these past few days... and the excitement reached record levels today.

I shall miss them, even though I understand their other grandparents miss them too. They saw them grow up in the first years of their lives because at the time they lived here in Malta but now they've been away for a year and half. I shall miss them more than anyone because I shall only see them for twenty-four hours when they come back and then I myself will leave for Canada.

We all went down to their parents' place for a chat, a drink and a "goodbye and have fun" and a million hugs and kisses. Before I left I asked Ivan what he wished for his birthday since I wouldn't be home at the time. He said he had prepared a "scroll" for each one of us which he had left on his desk. And sure enough there were the scrolls of rolled up paper - one for mummy and daddy, one for nannu and nanna and two for his uncles.

Under my name he had written: from you nanna I would like a painting or some nice books... then the "or" was crossed out and "and" written instead! I felt flattered. I had given him a painting for his last birthday - the dolphin - and now he wants another one!

I don't have much time to do it... I don't even know what would please an eleven year old boy... but I will think of something.

Have fun little ones and come back full of the joy you always bring.