For Him

He’s growing. So fast. I selfishly wish I could stop him. Stop time. Stop the world in its tracks  For him. For that  mischievous, boisterous laugh. For the innocent wonder in those big brown eyes. For those magical moments that will never come again.  For him.  Just for him.

My little Mischief Maker turned 6 yesterday. It seems like it was not too long ago that he was a cuddly baby. Now he’s all little boy -  playing with trucks, planes and trains and running all over the house making all sorts of engine noises. There are days when I just want him to be quiet but then I remember that each phase lasts so little. I am trying my best to be patient and to enjoy every single noisy minute before it’s gone, leaving only the memory.

Since it was his birthday, my husband and I dedicated the past weekend solely to him – making sure he got to do the things he enjoys. His requests were pretty simple. He wanted to go for a walk to Chadwick lakes and then to Dingli cliffs. It was cold in Malta this past weekend, as it has been all over Europe, but down in the valley by the man-made reservoir that we call Chadwick Lakes, it was strangely calm and warm.

The birds sang  in the bare branches of silver birch trees and the wayside was lined with pretty Cape Sorrel flowers.

Above us grey clouds raced to their next destination. And, as we were about to leave, the pretty blossoms of an almond tree beckoned – the earliest promise of spring.

The looming clouds made the view from Dingli cliffs more spectacular than usual. Patches of sunlight were surrounded by walls of greyness.

In one place rain fell; right next to it, sunlight broke through the clouds. It was definitely cold up here, completely at the mercy of the wind. Before too long the rain began to fall around us too.

It was our cue to get into the car and drive off. We had lunch at McDonald’s (where else?) and then went to the cinema and watched Puss In Boots in 3D. And of course, if you’re 6 years old, no birthday is complete without a chocolate cake decorated with the image of your favourite soft toy.

Thanks to my husband for patiently creating the mouse from icing sugar. I could never have done such a wonderful job.