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When I embarked on the giveaway for Giving is Awesome, I had no idea what to expect. I received so many deserving nominations and they touched my heart in a way I can’t even begin to describe. I went back and forth and even asked close friends for help as I found it hard to make a choice. Each story had its own merits and eventually I couldn’t just pick one winner. I picked two. The first is a strong woman with a beautiful family fighting breast cancer and the second was a pick generated by random number generator.

The first nomination was sent by Rosa for her friend Carolyn. Rosa owns the Level 5 Salon and is an incredible person herself that does a lot in the community.

I would like to nominate a good friend and client of mine. Her name is Carolyn Griffiths, she is a full time Science/Chemistry PHD. teacher at xxx in Alameda. She is a mother of 2 beautiful boys. I’ve known her for 4 years now. She came to me shortly after her knew hair grew back in after discovering breast cancer in her 7th month of pregnancy. She was very determined that she will get through this for her new born child. It was extremely tough going through Chemotherapy pregnant. She got through her what she was supposed to be enjoying bringing a little bundle of joy into the world. She had a healthy little boy and she is fine and healthy too! I was blessed to become her friend. Well 1 year later, in Dec 2007 she sadly announced that there was a chance of 5% of return. It returned and now her family had to through it once again. Unfortunately, this time is was even more aggresive than before. She once again took 10 months off of work and through Chemotherapy again. In between she would come in for me to get small neck trims or shave her hair off just to feel better about herself. It breaks my heart as tears slowly roll down my face. It just not right…. I have soooooooo much respect for strong woman! I’m pampering her tomorrow Tuesday, Dec. 22 and I’m not shaving off her hair, were going to color and play! I strongly suggest she deserves to win this gift from the heart your are offering.

And the second, the story of a young single mom working toward a better future nominated by Marlis B.

I would like to nominate Nicolette for your wonderful gift. I met Nicolette in 2006 when I was looking for a Nanny for my four month old daughter, Phoebe. I lost Phoebe’s twin sister, Wendy, to a heart defect weeks before and was terribly paranoid about finding a fit for phoebe that I could live with so I could return to work (after many months off). She was the first one I interviewed, and I went with her. My instincts could not have served me better.

Nicolette is a single mom, having gotten pregnant right out of high school. When I met her, her son Nick was about 7 months old. I have never heard much about the father. She lived in the converted in-law unit of her dad’s house here in Castro Valley and talked about becoming an neo-natal intensive care nurse one day. Her mother died when she was a young girl, and I think Nicolette carries that scar with her today.

Nicolette, now 23,  struggles financially – more than anyone I know. She works to make ends meet, through babysitting jobs, nanny jobs, and a part-time Ebay business where she trolls local thrift store for kids clothing for resale – and bargain hunter she is. She has NEVER turned me down for a job – and I often wonder where the joy in her life is, outside of the love she has for her son. She watched her friends go off to college, while she learned how to raise a child. She babysits every chance she gets – and seems to get her fair share of bad luck. Yet, I have never heard her once complain. She arrives with a smile on her face (always early, too) to delight, care for and love my kids (lucy arrived in 2007 and loved Nicolette as much as Phoebe).

True to her word, she started taking classes last year for nursing school, only to stop because she could not afford the classes or the time not working to attend classes. It breaks my heart, because I think she would make an amazing NICU nurse (and I am a NICU mom, with Phoebe having spent the first five weeks of her life at John Muir).

I  realize that while pictures aren’t going to get her through nursing school, or help pay her rent, professional pictures of her son would help to chronicle the center – and the joy – of her world. I know that Nicolette believes that whatever hardships she endures, her son is worth it. I would love her to have a life time memory of Nick now – at this magical age of almost-five – where the world holds wonder and where mom can do anything.

Thanks so much to everyone that took the time to send in nominations for the deserving families. I look forward to working with the two winning families.

Also, wishing my wonderful blog readers a very Happy New Year!