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15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 MAY 2023 daughters: lessons in love DEBBIE How would you describe your relationship with your daughter? Since she was a little girl, we always had a good bond and enjoyed each other's com- pany. I also rely on her judgement regard- ing what to wear and to sing. A heart-warming moment from when she was little, is when I used to be giving a concert abroad and sing my song 'Tbis- sima' (Smile); she used to run on stage to sing it with me and the audience used to love it. What qualities have you passed on to your daughter? One quality I enjoy seeing in Nicole is the fact that she loves helping others, es- pecially people in difficulties and that is something I try to practice in the best way possible. I also appreciate that she has taken up the love for the arts and lately TV present- ing. I never imposed them on her, but cer- tainly I have influenced her and that gives me great satisfaction. What advice would you give your daughter? We are always there for her in all her de- cisions and my advice for her is to always remain humble. NICOLE What is the most memorable moment you've shared with your mother? I have numerous cherished recollections with my mother, but a few stand out, such as the time we shared the stage for the first time during a performance when I was around 10 years old. In my earlier years, I frequently joined her onstage, so the official experience of singing togeth- er brought me immense joy! Our family vacations consistently hold invaluable moments, particularly the occasion when both of us unexpectedly found ourselves riding donkeys through the streets of France. How has your mother influenced your life and shaped who you are today? My mother is someone I have always admired. Together with my dad, she in- stilled in me a deep love for music and the arts that continues to shape me today. She has been a significant influence in my life, inspiring me to constantly strive for personal growth in all my endeavours. She has consistently offered her unwavering support and encouragement, allowing me the freedom to pursue a path that brings me happiness. How has your relationship evolved over the years? Without a doubt, I regard my mother as an exceptional pillar of support. As I've grown older, our relationship has evolved into a more mature dynamic, where we understand each other on a deeper level. Nevertheless, we still seek comfort in each other's hugs, just as we did when I was much younger. Like any relationship, we have our disagreements, but ultimately, I am immensely grateful that she is my mother. Debbie Scerri and Nicole Vella DENISE How would you describe your relationship with your daughter? Paula and I have always had a very close and strong relationship. We enjoy each other's company and love doing stuff to- gether. We know that we are always there for one another no matter what. We also have the best laughs. We've shared sever- al funny incidents together. One of them happened recently during a trip abroad. We decided to get an "experienced" driv- er to take us to a small quaint Christ- mas village. Little did we know that he couldn't speak a word of English and had absolutely no idea how to operate his GPS so we ended going round in circles and eventually got lost. It was very frustrat- ing at the time as we couldn't communi- cate at all. However, by some miracle we managed to get to our destination hours later and since it was almost evening, we thought our day was almost ruined how- ever on arrival the place was magical as it was all lit up. The irony is that we could enjoy this evening setting because we ar- rived later than planned. When life gives you lemons make lemonade. What qualities have you passed on to your daughter? I like to be objective and improve in what I do. I feel Paula is the same in this regard. She puts her heart in what she does and will not settle for anything less. Learning to prioritise rather than juggle everything all at once. Understanding the importance of empathy is a quality we both share. What advice would you give your daughter? Firstly, I believe that one must always be true to oneself and never do anything just to please or to be liked... even if it's the unpopular choice. Secondly but most importantly, God always gives you the strength and wisdom you need to take you through whatever life throws at you. PAULA What is the most memorable moment you've shared with your mother? I can't really think of one specific mem- orable moment however I think we try to create special moments and memories together in all that we do, be it during a family trip abroad or simply a family night in. How has your mother influenced your life and shaped who you are today? She definitely instilled in me the love I have towards the arts and the importance of taking a professional attitude in all that one does. On a deeper level, the choices she has made in her life have shown me what it means to prioritise the family and the importance of constantly working to build and sustain a strong foundation. Apart from this, I have seen how life makes more sense when you choose to put God in the centre of your life because everything else seems to fall into place. How has your relationship evolved over the years? From a very young age I have always looked up to her. At the time besides be- ing my mother, she was also my "hero" who made me feel safe and secure. However, now that I've grown up and our relationship has matured and evolved, besides still viewing her as a lov- ing mother, she is also the sister I never had. She's the person I can speak to about anything and who helps me put things into perspective when I'm not thinking straight or who offers me wisdom and advice. Denise Mintoff and Paula Zammit Mintoff NEWS