The Miss Patti's Mother's Day Contest Ended on 5/22/08
We received an enormous amount of worthy entries and learned alot about some fabulous Mothers, Families, and Friends! Thanks to All That Entered! Please see below for the winning entries and names.......
Congratulations to our "Miss Patti's Mother's Day Contest" Winners:
Gertrude Benjamin
Angela E. Caligone
Audra Robinson
See Below for the Winning Entries:
1st Place: Gertrude Benjamin
My mother was, and still is, my strength and inspiration. She passed almost 6 years ago. In her absence, I have found her strength and inspiration in the most unlikeliest of people - my mother-in-law, Diane Jordan! Diane remembers everyone's birthday and always has a gift for them. She's selfless, caring, nurturing and tireless in her efforts to make sure everyone is ok and all the while, caring for her severely disabled, 33 year old son.
Diane works full-time at a pre-school, running around after 4 & 5 year olds, most of whom do not speak english and are not accustomed to the Australian ways of life. She cooks and cleans for her husband and 2 grown sons, 26 y.o. twins and welcomes any opportunity to babysit her grandchildren on weekends.
Diane welcomed me - a young, black, unemployed, unqualified, single mother of one, into her family with open arms, a great big smile and an embrace that lasted, it seemed, an eternity. From that very first day, I have called her Mum. That was almost 8 years ago. I called her Diane a couple of months ago and she asked her son (my other half) if she did something to upset me. She's so funny! In 2006 my partner and I gave Mum the honor of naming their first grandchild - she called her Giaan Marie Jordan. She was so proud and I loved the names she chose (Marie is my mother's and my middle name). Incidentally, both of my girls have been named by their grandmothers.
Christmas' are huge for them. My family celebrated but not in the way they do. It's great. My girls light up every year and they know that each one is better than before. It's beautiful to watch the love in the room because a lot of thought goes into the whole day, not just the gifts.
On the night of her 60th Birthday, I was informed that my brother had broken his neck. I was so disappointed that I couldn't stay to enjoy the night with her, but she completely understood that I had to go. He was literally millimetres from death.
My relationship with my MIL is extremely important to me and I acknowledge how blessed I am to have a relationship like this with her. I love Diane with all my heart and I regard her in the highest possible way - as a mother to me. Diane has never asked for anything in return but I know that she deserves to be spoiled in so many ways, and something special from Miss Patti, would be absolutely DIVINE!!! I tell my MIL and FIL I love them all the time - because I really do!
2nd Place: Angela E. Caligone
A MOTHER’S LOVE
In February of 1960 there was a mother who adopted a baby girl. In February of 1964 the mother passed away and went home to Glory.
It was as if the little girl was standing in a big field all alone until two mothers appeared; one on her left and one on her right. They took her by the hands and took her home and gave her a special place in their hearts. Through the years they gave her a double dose of her mother, a double dose of love, understanding and a double dose of what family was suppose to be. They chose to do this, not because the little girl was so special, but because of the love they had for their oldest sister whom they both loved dearly and had just lost.
Even though they were not together every day, through the years the growing stages of all three developed a bond that became strong and special. They told her wonderful stories about her mother and as they shared their hearts of memories with her, they became that little girl’s mother to her. She saw her mother in the two of them. They were her mother in every sense of the word. Their families accepted this little girl in their hearts as one of their own sisters.
Who is this little girl and who were the two that showed up in the field?
The little girl is me, Angela Finley. The two in the field were Aunt Ruby Lee Greer and Aunt Marlene Black. Their sister was Leoma Finley.
I am writing this the day after I have lost my last mother. The tears flow because I had three mothers and today I have none. They are all in heaven reminiscing. But I have not been left alone, because their families are my families – my cousins are not just my cousins, they are so much more – just as my aunts were not just my aunts – they became my mother. Because of a sister’s love, the little baby girl grew up to know what family love and a mother’s love was all about.
The tears flow because there will be no more memories made with the mothers, but I know my cousins will be all around taking turns holding my hand, just as one did on yesterday, leaving the hospital after the lost of her own mother – my aunt – my last mother is gone but A MOTHER’S LOVE CONTINUES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3rd Place: Audra Robinson
My mother deserves to win because she puts everyone in front of her own needs, not only did she raise six of her own children but three additional family members who’s parents have fallen victim of today’s society. The three additional children were welcome into our parent’s home with open arms and treated with care, love and given a chance to return love although they were separated from their parents. My mother is currently raising her nephew through marriage with ADHD and bipolar which at times can be very stressful to a point where she wants to give up. I would love to take my mom away from it all if for only an hour, or a day just to show her how much I adore and love her will power to keep family first. I love my mother for showing me the value of being a family and helping others in need.
The Mother's Day Contest Ended on 5/22/08
Submit an entry for your chance to win a Patti LaBelle "Patti's Butterflies" Fan Club Membership, Store Merchandise, On-line Gift Cards, Autographed Items, and More!
Spring has sprung and Mother's Day is just around the corner so let's hear (or see) why Your Mom deserves these great Patti LaBelle/Patti's Butterflies prizes and should be a winner in our Miss Patti Mother's Day Contest!
How You Enter The Contest.......
Just email, FAX, or send by traditional mail anything that demonstrates to us the reason why Your Mom deserves to win the Miss Patti Mother's Day Contest. Is there something special that your Mom does for you or someone else? Does she go out of her way to help others? Whatever it is, tell us about it and let us know. Send in a story about your Mom's tireless acts of care and kindness, try providing some picture/photo evidence of why your Mom deserves the prize, or come up with a poem, song, or drawing that explains why your Mom, (or Grandmother, Aunt, Sister, Friend, or anyone else that has treated you with Motherly care) deserves the Mother's Day Prize Package! The possibilities are endless! Just come up with an idea and send to us by May 18th at 11:59 pm EST to enter for a chance to win!
Where You Enter The Contest.........
Send an email to contests@pattisbutterflies.com with the subject line "Miss Patti's Mother's Day Contest," Fax your contest entry to 508-797-5398, or mail to: Patti's Butterflies Mother's Day Contest, c/o Patti's Butterflies, 4 Brussels Street, Worcester, MA 01610
What You Can Win......
A first, second, and third place winner will be chosen from the entries received by May 18th at 11:59 pm EST. BEST of All ..... you'll win a prize for both You and Your Mother (or Grandmother, or Sister, or Aunt, or Friend, or mentor/role model).
First Place to receive two of the following prize packages featuring a Patti LaBelle "PattisButterflies.com" Fan Club on-line membership (includes on-line membership benefits but no membership kit merchandise); Choice of T-Shirt from the PattisButterflies.com on-line store; Patti LaBelle autographed Photo, unsigned Patti LaBelle Photos, & $50.00 gift card to the on-line store.
Second place to receive two of the following prize packages featuring a $50.00 PattisButterflies.com store gift card, Patti LaBelle autographed Photo, and Choice of T-Shirt from the PattisButterflies.com on-line store.
Third place to receive two $50.00 PattisButterflies.com store gift cards.
The winners' names and entries will also be listed/featured on the PattisButterflies.com website.
Other
Winners will be revealed and contacted sometime during the week of May 19th - 23rd 2008.
