Lovin Malta spoke to Miriana about the tragic loss, and how she managed to deal with the grief and ultimately power through it.

“I must admit that it was very difficult for me. I was very close to mum and so I felt very lost after,” Miriana, who was just 24 when she lost her mother, said.

“Sadly, my mother passed four years ago today due to cancer. It was very sudden and a big shock to us. We basically found out and she was gone within the month,” the lawyer shared.

She explained that her mother’s parents are still alive and that she was their only child, so all this “was very difficult on them”.

“It was weeks before my second year law finals, and I had already spoken to faculty to tell them that I was going to resign. However, one thing I remember very clearly was my mother telling me that she thinks I should keep going, just a few days before she passed.”

“Those words lingered on and that is why I managed to keep going,” the newly graduated lawyer shared.

She recalled how the moment her mother passed away she was “holding her hand”. “Although that was quite traumatic, it is something I also cherish a lot. Not everyone gets that chance.”

When asked what her mother would think if she were still here today to see her contesting for the upcoming MEP elections, Miriana said “I believe she would be very proud.”

“Most probably she would tell me that it’s a risky move and that I am already always on the go, but deep down she did know this was something I wanted to do one day.”

The young lawyer admitted that when she was initially approached to contest, she wasn’t sure whether she should take the plunge. However, one particular event that occurred about 10 years back stuck with her and swayed her towards contesting. 

“I had met Roberta Metsola for the very first time and took a photo with her. As soon as I went home and showed my mum the photo, she told me, ‘one day you’ll be doing what she is doing now’”, Miriana recalled.

“This is why I am doing it now,” she admitted.

“I want to make her proud,” Miriana told the newsroom, acknowledging that her mother would definitely be proud that she “kept going despite all odds”.

“Realistically, I did it thanks to her,” the MEP candidate said.

“Four years back I was a totally different person. This experience forced me grow up,” Miriana admitted, wondering whether her mum would “recognise the person” she is nowadays. 

“I know I’m not the only one who passed through this. It’s the circle of life. However, losing a parent especially at a young age is not easy,” the 28-year-old said.

Miriana went on to describe how “every good moment is now bittersweet.”

“She will never see me get married, she will never get to know my children. She did not see me become a lawyer. But at the same time, she is always with me in so many ways.”

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