Summertime memories contest winner!
Maria Mora wins a $100 gift certificate for a custom-made swimsuit from Two Coconuts Swimwear. Afterall, what's summer without an awesome swimsuit? Mora is a local writer and the mom of two boys. You can find her at www.familyfirststudios.com. Here's her winning essay:
When I was thirteen-years-old, we took my parents’ small speedboat from our house to Vinoy Park for a free music festival. It was hot that day, still and beautiful, and we soared across the glassy surface of the bay. At the time, I still wore glasses—and felt uncomfortable wearing them while the boat was speeding. So as I sat at the bow, holding onto the bow line for dear life, everything looked like a blur of color and light. I turned my face to the wind and the sun and soaked in the feeling of being alive.
Later that afternoon, I jumped into the warm waters of the Vinoy basin. As I climbed back into the boat, I heard whistles and hollering. My mother wrapped a towel around me angrily and I wondered what I’d done wrong. Later, I realized that some drunk men on the seawall had noticed me in my bikini. It was a little embarrassing, but at the time I felt like a woman for the first time. Gawky, think, glasses, braces. I’d never felt pretty or desirable.
(Obviously, getting hit on by drunken men wasn’t exactly the best way to be flattered.)
Despite the dubious source of my pride that afternoon, the day has remained one of my best summer memories. As I emerged from the water I’d spent my childhood playing in, I’d become a woman.
--------------------------------------------------------------- Past winners
What's your favorite gift shop in or around Tampa Bay?I believe one of the best, intriguing gift shops around the Tampa Bay area is CHERIE's EKLECTIKA, located on Beach Drive. This gift shop sells various items that you do not find in your ordinary gift shop. I was able to pick up some Christmas gifts that were great and out of the ordinary. You can spend hours looking around and reading all the great cards they have. Also i cannot forget that the staff is great and makes you feel very comfortable!
Linnea Barone wins a $25 gift card from Cigar Loft, a great specialty shop in the Grand Central District in St. Petersburg and a Shell & fish silver bracelet from Maurice Jewelry Design, in Dunedin.
Meet November's winner!Tamara Hart of Holiday wins a beautiful purple necklace from If and Only If in St. Petersburg and a $20 giftcard and a beautiful metal butterfly from the Backyard Getaway in Bradenton. Tamara, who recently celebrated her 18th wedding anniversary, says she likes to help people, as long as they are trying to help themselves. She writes: "I don’t take things to seriously. I pick my battles. I don’t worry what other think of me, I know I am a good person and if they want to get to know me then they will see that. I am a people person. I stay at home and take care of everything here. I love the outdoors. I am blunt and honest. I feel its better that way seeing I was lied to my whole life. When I love its with my whole heart, head to toe, inside and out. Thanks to mom I could be loved and show love." Here is her winning entry: *First let me say, we are not always born into the family we want to be in. As we grow older we can pick who is apart of our family. The one person that I am most grateful for is a woman who didn't know if she wanted children. I was dropped into her lap at the age of 5 and I didn't know her anymore then I knew the other people in my life. She stepped up and took on that role into the unknown. Uncertain of everything she would do or say. I wasn't born to her and I was already my own person. She was concerned of the trauma I had already faced at such a young age. She showed me love, understanding, a caring touch and always an ear to hear what I had to say. If it had not been for this wonderful 5 foot 1 very petite but voiceful women who I learned to call MOM, I would have never known love. She was taken from me way to early and there was still to much for her to be apart of. I am so grateful that my mom took a chance on a little damaged 5 year old girl and wrapped me in her unconditional love. * For previous contest winners, go to the archives by clicking here.
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