I recall becoming a mother for the first time. I recall the fear, the excitement, and the process of going from young lady to mother in a matter of a moment. It was the greatest experience of my life to hold my daughter in my arms seconds after she was born.
Then my son appeared 16-months later and life was a lot busier and my needs took a back seat. I have always been OK with this because, as a woman, we are natural nurturers. I love my children so very much and want the best for them.
Being a mom is the most enriching full time job. There’s no quitting it. There’s no taking a break. Just when you think you have a moment to breathe, your children need you in one form or another. Oh yes, even during the teen years.
Walmart is launching the Mom of the Year Award to help celebrate and recognize the huge contribution moms make as role models and integral members of the family and community. This award will become an annual program to celebrate all that Mom does and shine a light on what is important to her.
I know mothers:
– Who have special needs children. They spend the majority of their time researching, visiting specialists, and tending to their sick child.
– Who have dedicated their life to their children’s extra-curricular activities. Those moms who goes to bed at 9pm on a sunny Friday only to meet a 5am wake up call to be at the local rink for practice.
– Who have to work three jobs because they are single mothers trying to put their children through school to provide a better life for them.
– Who have lost their children due to illness or horrific reasons. Those mothers who put on a brave face for her surviving children.
I simply can’t pinpoint one Mother in my life because all of them are wonderful! So to Karen, Sharon, Margaret in Toronto, and my Mom, I raise my glass to you. You are four wonderful mothers whom I admire very much!
How to Participate
Nominations will be accepted Mother’s Day (May 13) through July 8, 2012 and can be submitted through www.momoftheyear.ca. They can come from daughters, sons, family members, friends, colleagues or community members.
Eight finalists will be selected and notified in mid-August and will be treated to an award celebration weekend in September. The Mom of the Year Award recipient will receive $10,000 for personal use and $100,000 to their cause or charity of choice. The remaining seven finalists will each receive $10,000 for personal use and $10,000 to their cause or charity of choice. Can you imagine the impact you could have on your favourite charity with that much money!!
So please, if you know a Mom who is deserving of this award, please nominate them today. Tell Walmart her story and make them proud to have so many wonderful mothers in this country!
Disclosure: I’m part of the Walmart program by Mom Central. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.
Mom of the Year Award: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY Internet access and valid email account required. Nominations open May 10, 2012 to July 8, 2012 for legal residents of Canada over the age of majority. Entrants cannot nominate themselves. One (1) grand prize available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $100,000 donation by Wal-mart Canada Corp. to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Seven (7) runner-up prizes available to be won consisting of $10,000 cash, a $10,000 donation to charity/cause and a trip to Toronto (ARV $22,000). Charity/cause subject to verification and final approval by Wal-mart Canada Corp., at its sole discretion. Odds of winning depend on how the judging panel evaluates each entry according to the criteria. For Official Contest Rules and to nominate an entrant, visit [www.momoftheyear.ca].
