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Moms Are Queens For A Day

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By LAURA FRAZIER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 9, 2008

BRANDON - Shari Bowers, her blond hair wrapped in sections around a halo of jumbo rollers, settled under a dryer Monday at All About Beauty on Mason Street.

"This is the best Mother's Day present I've ever gotten," said Bowers, one of seven women selected by the salon staff to receive a day of free beauty services including haircuts and styles, facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures and makeup applications. The women also were treated to lunch by Arby's restaurant on State Road 60 and received gifts from local businesses.

Salon owner Octavia Stoppa in April invited people to write or e-mail her describing why a mother they know deserves a day of pampering.

Stoppa said the letters she received were brimming with heartfelt sentiment and inspiring anecdotes. The seven most inspiring letters earned those moms free makeovers in honor of Mother's Day.

"I was glad they were able to write and talk about their stories because that's how you help heal yourself," Stoppa said.

She said she thought free makeovers would be a nice gesture and inspire more good deeds.

"I'd like to 'pay it forward' so they will end up doing something nice for someone else in the future," she said.

After about four hours of indulgence and relaxation, the winners were sent home with prepared dinners for their families by Honey Baked Ham.

Following are the winning letters about Bowers, Mikki Bragg, Lillian Buchanan, Silvia Dixon, Marci Hammons, Traci Hatton and Janet Moucha. All got their makeovers Monday, except Hammons and Dixon, who will schedule theirs later.

SHARI BOWERS
Nominated by her daughter, Ireland Negry-Bowers, 11

I want my mom to win this because of everything she has done for me and everything she has gone through. There are many different things to name, but the first one is a few years back we got into a car accident and she messed up her back really bad and has not gotten it fixed yet. Another reason my mom should win is because her friend, Mary, fell down an elevator shaft and shattered her ankle, and my mom is helping her and her two kids shop, get to school, etc. One more thing is before my mom broke up with her boyfriend she had five children to take care of - two 11-year-olds, one 8-year-old, one 6-year-old that has ADHD and is very hyper, and last but not least a very clingy 2-year-old who would not let anybody take care of her but mommy.

I think my mom deserves this because she has sent out over 70 resumes and has not even gotten a call or letter back. I feel so bad for her because she has no "me" time.

My Grandma and Pop-pop are very sick … , and I am afraid that they might die soon, but thankfully my mom has been helping them and making sure that they take their medicine and rest frequently. Our house is on a quick sale and it might sell soon. If it does, we will have no place to go and no home. My poor mother's last haircut was for her birthday, which is Dec. 8. I really think that my mom really deserves this. Please pick my mom. I love her so much, and when she saw the [story] in the paper she started to cry and say, "This is so me. I really hope I win. It would mean so much to me."
P.S. Please pick my mommy. I would be really delighted.

MIKKI BRAGG
Nominated by her co-worker, Ingrid Baronville

Do I know a deserving mother or a mother in need of a special day? I certainly do. I'd like to recommend Mikki Bragg. Mikki has one of the biggest smiles and a heart of gold. There are times when I don't know how she continues to keep her sense of humor and still work as hard as she does at the real estate office where she works.

In February 2006, Mikki tragically lost her only son, Camden. He was struck by a passing vehicle right outside his high school. It was a loss that was felt not just by the family, but by the entire community of Brandon High School.

She has had a life filled with many difficulties. I admire her willingness to speak openly about her son and all the happy times she had with him. She still celebrates his life in many ways, even sharing his favorite brand of chewing gum with me.

I know that she really tries hard not to reflect on the negative, however, I know that she grieves silently and pushes herself a little too hard. I hope and pray that she would appreciate a day of beauty and pampering.

She pours her love into her daughter and most recently was able to purchase her first home. Financially, I know that things are hard, and I know that nothing can fill the void for any mother who loses a child.

I just want to remind her that someone cares and that she needs to give something back to herself. Please select Mikki as one of your deserving mothers. She deserves to allow herself some healing, if not only in her soul, in her spirit and mind.

LILLIAN BUCHANAN
Nominated by her mother, Dolores Riley

Time spent on herself or even for herself is simply unheard of. A day of beauty would be one way to sit back, relax and enjoy the pampering and time she needs. I'd like to introduce my daughter, Lillian Buchanan, mother of six, two of whom still live at home.

Our youngest granddaughter was born with water on the brain, requiring constant attention for herself and all the monitors she is on. Lillian has to delicately balance caring for Kaitlynn, keeping chores done, holding a part time job and helping 11-year-old Destany with school projects and homework.

Kaitlynn spends a lot of time in the hospital for various surgeries and pneumonia. Lillian makes sure Kaitlynn gets out often and enjoys new smells, breezes [and] new sounds and has entered her in beauty contests. Kaitlynn is legally blind in the one eye she has left, so she has no idea of what she looks like. Lillian tells her every day just how pretty she looks and how beautiful she is.

Driving Kaitlynn to her sometimes multiple doctor appointments in one day takes up any time Lillian might be able to spend on or for herself. As you read this note, you can easily see why I began this application as I did.

Thank you for taking your time to read this. To have Lillian qualify would be such a wonderful surprise for her.

SILVIA DIXON
Nominated by her friend, Ingrid Baronville

I am writing to you in response to your day of beauty. The person that I would like to nominate is my friend Silvia Dixon. I have known Silvia for over six years and have always been impressed by her drive, determination and passion for life. She would often refer to herself as Princess Silvia.

In the last three years, I haven't seen too much of that vibrant soul. Silvia lost her mother, who was like her best friend and her biggest fan. She has never treated herself, as far as I know, to a pedicure or a manicure because they were luxuries she couldn't afford. As a single parent, she often made all the sacrifices for her two children, one who has since started a family of his own.

It breaks my heart when I see the sacrifices she makes both financially and with her time for her teen-aged daughter … Silivia has severe back problems, but she never misses her daughter's track meets, orchestra performances or basketball games.

She is the sole source of support for her family and, like many people today, is facing many financial problems. To my knowledge she has never had her hair professionally done.

She tries to be there for everyone … . The loss of her mother has left a huge void in her life because she lost a major part of her emotional support line. If anyone is in need of this special day, I think that Silvia should be one of your six deserving moms. Please restore "The Princess," if only for one day, and hopefully make a difference in her life that will go much further.

MARCI HAMMONS
Nominated by her mother-in-law, Angie Hammons

I read your article in the paper and I would like to nominate my daughter-in-law, Marci Hammons. My son Rob and his wife Marci went to China in 2002 to bring home our first grandchild. I have to tell you that I don't think I would have had the nerve to fly to China, but they did. They followed their dream of having a family with a sacrifice that was so easily given. Our little Mya is a beautiful little girl who will be 7 in May. However, that's not why I'm nominating my daughter-in-law.

In 2004, Marci had the dream of adding a second daughter to the family. Our little Emma came home in August 2005. That still isn't the reason I'm nominating Marci. In order to help make the dream of a second adoption come true, my daughter-in-law spent hours compiling recipes to create "The Red Thread Cookbook." It wasn't just a cookbook, but also the story of the first trip to China.

Marci would go to craft shows and spend hours in the hot sun to sell the books. The cookbooks didn't pay for the adoption, but they were a big help. Marci did not give up her dream, and thanks to her we have a second beautiful little granddaughter. Emma will be 4 in November.

Marci makes sure her girls have the clothes and things they need and doesn't worry about herself, like a lot of mothers I would think. But my memory of her sitting at those craft shows in that hot sun will always be in my mind. And that's why I'm nominating Marci Hammons. She deserves a special day.

TRACI HATTON
Nominated by her daughter, Madison Steeves, 18

I'm really not sure how to start this off, but I saw your [story] in the paper and I thought it was just the coolest and most sweetest thing that somebody could do. I'm sure that there are going to be a lot of entries for your offer, but I believe that my mom deserves it the most.

By now you might be asking yourself why this girl thinks her mom deserves it the most. Well, that's why I am going to tell you that my mom is so amazing and very hard-working. She … is a single mother raising three children.

After my parents finalized their divorce, it seemed like anything that could go wrong did. First to go was our sewer that my mom had to have replaced. Then our air conditioner had to be replaced as well, and on top of that some people came to my house and told us that there was a sink hole under it. So it's been about seven months now, and there are still people coming here trying to fix the hole under my house.

Let me inform you that my mom also works five days a week and it seems like by the time she gets home she's running on empty. I want to close this by saying that I think my mom really deserves some time to herself to relax and just enjoy being pampered for a day. I would really appreciate it if you would give my mom the chance to do that.

JANET MOUCHA
Nominated by her daughter, Sue Moucha

Mom took care of me when I was young, making sure I received the proper physical therapy needed. See, I was born as a hemiplegic cerebral palsy person affecting my entire right side. I wore a brace on my right leg from 18 months old until I was in the fifth grade.

The roles were reversed when mom broke her femur. I was the one who took care of her and made sure she received the proper physical therapy.

On Jan. 6 this year, our lives took a 360-degree turn. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think I would do something to my good leg. I severed my Achilles tendon in a freak accident. I spent six weeks in a wheelchair, three weeks with a walker and one week with a cane.

I participate in sports so that I will hopefully never end up in a wheelchair due to the possible effects of my disability. I am a four-time Paralympian with seven medals, a world record and over 200 trophies from able-bodied run, bike and swim events. But now I was in one for six weeks, and the cerebral palsy prevented me from being able to use crutches.

Mom was right here every step and moment, from the scream when the accident happened to the day I was able to get back in the pool to swim. She knew just how to handle the situation when I did not want to accept the wheelchair or the home health aide person. Mom knew how to talk to me, yet at the same time, keep my attitude in line.

Mom did everything the first two weeks. She bathed me, fixed my meals and did anything else that had to be done until we were able to get help. Mom made sure the arrangements were made for the physical therapist to come to the house. She never stopped me from doing my exercises, as we both knew how vital they were for both my right side and left leg.

Mom made sure I was able to get outside every day starting from a week after surgery to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. See, we had to figure a way to maneuver the wheelchair outside since mom is 81 years old. Mom was right there beside the bed sitting in a chair many a night to help me through the pain, confusion and tears. So many nights we turned to prayer.

Mom has helped me get through so many obstacles my entire life. This particular situation had to be the toughest test yet. There were so many dilemmas and challenges due to the cerebral palsy. Today, I am back walking, on my bike wind-trainer and swimming.

I was able to get thru this only because of my mom. She never left my side those 10 weeks. She deserves to be pampered. She is 81 years old and needs a special vacation for all she did during the months of January, February and March. Mom never complained or hesitated. As the saying goes, "A mother is always there." My mom is a true mother.

Compiled by reporter Laura Frazier, who can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com

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