~ my nomination for the Dove® Celebrate Mom Contest ~
This post is part of YummyMummyClub.ca’s support of the Dove® Celebrate Mom Contest. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors.
You can nominate inspiring moms here: www.CelebrateMom.ca
I was so pleased to be asked to take part in this project. It’s so important to me to write about women, and girls, and other moms. We have such impact on one another, and it’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly. Everything we do, read and write goes to our hearts…and we need to remember the girls we are raising are the same. We need to help them find their best qualities, help them grow, and help ensure when they look in the mirror they see what we do – strength, potential, beauty that is unique and special. Dove has always led the way in helping real women and girls feel beautiful – through their Self-Esteem Fund programs and smart, honest campaigns that show women at their best. I know women who were in a television ad created by Dove, and my neighbour was once chosen for a print campaign. Fantastic.
When it comes to amazing moms, I have to admit that I am spoiled for choice. Everywhere I look, I see moms I know working hard to make life better for their families. They get out of bed ready to push, pull and cheerlead their families through each day if need be. They make big plans, and decorate tiny cupcakes. They make rules, and silly faces. They are a life force, an inspiration, and important role models for those around them.
The Marchiori family – photography by Dave Brosha
Today I want to tell you about a particular mom I know who has inspired me lately. Her name is Tara Marchiori, of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. She is a partner in the Chasing Light Studio & Gallery with photographer Dave Brosha (see their fabulous Facebook page here), a wife, a mom of three, a talented photographer and an all-around fireball of creativity. Tara is my cousin, though we have lived in separate cities most of our lives. Getting reacquainted with her as an adult has been refreshing to say the least.
Tara gives off this amazing energy and confidence in everything she does, but it’s not the false bravado that people pull out for show. No, hers is all heart. And it’s the heart she puts into things that makes the difference.
Tara has three children; two daughters, ages 10 and 14, and a son, age 4. I imagine how these girls must see her, and how great it must be for them to see their mom enjoying life, working hard to meet goals and create the life she truly wants. They are growing up watching Tara make good choices that lead to happiness and fulfillment. Not every choice we make in life is easy, but if we are strong, we find the goodness life holds for us. And if we are confident enough to keep doing it – instead of stopping and settling, as we grow older and raise our children – they witness it. They will learn to trust their own instincts, and to know life always brings new adventures. I also imagine them watching her laugh, hold her friends closely and move as much heaven and earth as women can when someone she knows needs support.
How could they not see her as beautiful? And then learn to value the same in themselves?
I see her photographs and think how lucky her girls will be to see themselves through her eyes. She catches them in their lovely moments, but also the silly, the candid, and the unscripted. Her children will have so much of their lives captured and held for them. Imagine that blessing, multiplied, each time she takes out her camera to capture another family. Photographers offer something special when they use their cameras to bring joy and inspiration to others, and I have no doubt Tara will bring this magic to her work. I can only imagine that this is the way to show girls their beauty as they grow – by capturing it, marking it, celebrating it. There is no fashion trend, no “it” colour or style that can ever compare to a happy, confident girl caught in the light.
Tara would be a great choice to win the Dove Celebrate Mom Contest because the way she lives her life is inspiring – to those around her, to the women in her closest circles, to the subjects of her photographs who are made real and beautiful by her skill, and finally to the daughters and son she is raising with love and laughter.
Visit www.CelebrateMom.ca by September 4th to nominate a mom who’s an inspiring role model to women and girls in the Dove® Celebrate Mom Contest. Four inspiring women will win $2,500 for herself and $2,500 to be donated to the charity of her choice.
And check out more stories on YummyMummyClub.ca about amazing role model moms: www.yummymummyclub.ca/family/
there is no one more deserving if you ask me…tara is truly an amazing human. i’m lucky to have her in my life…thanks for nominating her jen…L
Lovely, Jen!
This is amazing! Love moms supporting moms!
Absolutely! And thank you very much. ; )
This is so spot on Jen! How do I nominate Tara? I was up on the Dove site but could not find the story.I admit I am not the best at this computer stuff!
Thank you! And…as far as how…do you see the link up above in the post? It’s a special link to the Celebrate Mom Contest page. Once you go there, there is a big blue box in the middle of the screen saying “Nominate someone!” If you click that blue box it will open a small screen for you to enter your email address. Once you do so, you can enter information about the mom you are nominating and why. Finish with that little box and you are good to go! I’m here if you need more help! ; )
she sounds wonderful – thanks for sharing
Thanks for reading, and commenting! And yes, she is. ; )