Peter Dacoutros

The man I have become is all due to my mother's strong influence. I was the youngest of the family, my sister and brother were married by the time I was fifteen years of age. Daddy was a busy businessman and lawyer and had very little time to share with me. I remember barely reaching up to the kitchen table and amusing myself with bits of mum’s home made pastry. Soon I was making my own tiny pies or little tarts to bake next to what she had prepared. She loved gardening and I have very vivid childhood memories of gardening with her. She always came back into the house with a small bouquet to be placed before the Madonna, something I still care to do. She instilled in me the love for all things classic and beautiful including classical music, opera and operetta. Together with my father she was a permanent fixture at the Manoel Theatre. At 12 years of age I was taken to Turandot. It is still my favourite opera. I also inherited her love for art. She loved the home and needless to say she kept it impeccably. She also loved entertaining at home and I have very vivid memories of her tea and cocktail parties and elegant dinners. She sewed quite a number of her dresses and was always nicely turned out. Thanks to her I can alter a hem or two when necessary! She loved travelling with daddy and always returned with something beautiful for our home. Together they also accompanied me on 15 pilgrimages to Lourdes. Mummy left us to be again with daddy exactly a year after he passed away. I was 41 years old. I want to thank her for all she taught me including good morals and a fear of the Lord. And yes, I still say a Hail Mary before I sleep.