Spring is officially here with holidays that bring families together to celebrate their blessings! One of my greatest blessings is my large family.

Happy Mother’s Day! My Hero Mom.

My Mom, the guiding light of our family, is to this day, my greatest hero.Carmen - Grand Beauty Spa Owner

I can’t wait to announce the winners of our special contest and event. In the next few days we have planned to spotlight some amazing moms. The best part is that you, our Grand family, were asked to help us find our unsung heroines!

I wish I could submit my mom for the Grand Hero moms contest. She is one of the strongest women I know. A single mother of four children, my mother left the Caribbean Islands because she wanted to give her children a better life after divorcing.

When we first got to Dade City where we would be living, we arrived at an old abandoned one bedroom hitch trailer in the back yard of a woman’s home we knew to become Mama Gail. She allowed my mother to live there as long as she needed while getting on her feet.

We got a visit from the Salvation Army who brought a truck load of clothing for us to scrimmage through as my mother came here with one hundred dollars and a couple suitcases.

A typical Christmas gift during this time for us girls would be to receive a razor or toothbrush. The church always made sure we got a gift but I remember there was always a couple extra toys for my baby brother Legrand, who we all took care of.

I remember one time eating at The Golden Corral which eating out was a once in a blue moon occassion treat sharing one dinner amongst the 5 of us. We qualified for government foods like free cheese and butter and other grocery items. It was embarrassing but helpful.  The church was also involved bringing us boxes of food when in need.

My mom got a job at ABC pizza while putting herself through cosmetology school. After renting a few houses and working in a couple of beauty salons later, my mother did eventually get on her feet, running her own salon and purchasing a secure home for her family. She worked a lot to give us more opportunities in life. She also encouraged me to go to beauty school as it was offered at my high school. Because things were so tight, my mother would say that there was no money for college.

I am grateful for the life she gave us. I will be treating my mom to a Mother’s Day at The Grand.

You can never go wrong with the gift of relaxation and pampering.

I hope you enjoy a wonderful May.

We look forward to seeing you during your next visit.

Carmen