Three Cape Elizabeth kids won the Inn by the Sea’s second annual Mother’s Day essay contest, with essays about why their moms are “the greatest.”
The winner, Caitlin Kane, 11, is a sixth-grader at Cape Elizabeth Middle School, who applauded her mother’s support for her when she is in need.
Runner-up Emmy Ham, also 11 and a student at the middle school, honored her mom’s fortitude and ability to make top-notch macaroni and cheese.
And third-place winner Maria Doudakis, 14, an eighth-grader, wrote a poem praising her mother’s support and guidance.
Kane and her family have won a weekend in an ocean-view suite at the inn, a brunch at the inn’s Audubon Room, and her mother, Kathy Kane, also will receive a basket of gifts from Crabtree & Evelyn.
Ham and Doudakis and their mothers have won overnight stays and breakfast at the inn.
Inn by the Sea Innkeeper Maureen McQuade decided to make the essay contest an annual event after being deluged with heart warming stories from children the first year the Inn ran the competition. “The essays we received are a wonderful salute to mothers and the work they do,” commented McQuade. “The Inn’s contest is just a vehicle for inspiring kids to put their appreciation on paper. Each story is really a gift of praise for the mother for whom it was written.”
Judging this year’s essays was last year’s grand prize winner, Laureen Hallyday. “It was like being mother of the year,” laughed Hallyday. “I was congratulated for months after the contest by strangers who had read parts of Emily’s essay in the paper!”
This year’s winner of a weekend family stay at the Inn By The Sea, was penned by eleven year old Caitlin Kane of Cape Elizabeth Middle School. “My Mom is always there for me, she is always helping me with my homework and drying my eye when I’m sad,” wrote Caitlin. “When I’m crying she doesn’t just give me a tissue she stops and talks to me about it and helps me to stop crying.”
Great pasta is a prerequisite for good parenting according to eleven year old Emmy Ham’s runner up essay. “The best Mom certainly makes the BEST Mac & Cheese and my Mom definitely does that!”
Fourteen year old Maria Doudakis, also a winner of an overnight stay and breakfast at the Inn, wrote a poem to her Mom saying of her, “She’s been there quietly in the background, guiding the young girl to become a lady, and supporting my decisions..”
Caitlin Kane and her family enjoyed the weekend in an ocean view suite at the Inn by the Sea. Her Mother, Kathy Kane received flowers and a basket of relaxation products from Crabtree and Evelyn, and the family went to the Audubon Room for a Mother’s Day Brunch, compliments of Susan Legge Events.
My Mom
By Caitlin Kane, age 11
I don’t know where to start; there are so many wonderful characteristics about my mom. My mom has gone through stressful, sad and great times this year. She has held up wonderful always putting her kids first and when she hears about people’s parents not caring for their children she says “Children should come first in parents life because you aren’t able to hold on to them for too long before they start their own life.” I want my mom to have the best Mother’s Day ever this year and now I’m going to tell you all the reasons why.
My mother doesn’t just care for her kids, but for her whole family. One example of how caring she is; is when my nana died last summer and she had an especially hard last year of her life. My nana loved mom to death and my mom loved my nana to death and my nana wasn’t even my mom’s mother, it was my dad’s mother. My mom helped my nana through that last year like she was the nurse she helped feed her, helped her go to the bathroom and helped her get cleaned up. This was very good for my nana because even though my dad helped a lot, my mom was wonderful. She also cares for her mother such as bringing her shopping and out to lunch each week.
My mom is always there for me she is always helping me with homework and drying my eyes when I’m sad. Sometimes I think if I didn’t have my mom I wouldn’t be able to stop crying. When I’m crying she doesn’t just give me a tissue she stops and talks to me about it and helps me to stop crying. My mom wants me to be happy and have a good education and every year when it comes around she donates money to the school whenever she is asked. If someone asks her to volunteer for something she will.
I think my mom is the best mom ever and deserves a wonderful Mothers day. As my nana would say, “She’s a wonderful mother!” I definitely agree with my nana. My mom is very caring and giving. I love my mom so much and she is a wonderful person. My parents are the most important people in the world to me so I want my mom to be very happy on Mother’s Day!
Why I Have the Greatest Mom
By Emmy Ham, age 11
The best mom certainly makes the BEST mac and cheese and my mom definitely does that. The name I call my mom is Mama and even when I’m eleven I still address her as that. I feel that she just is Mama. The mama who is there for me one hundred percent, the mama who is supportive and loves to paint. The mama who I love.
Mama works as a substitute teacher at the Pond Cove Elementary School and does a wonderful job. It’s so wonderful to have her as a substitute teacher but not that I’m in the middle school I can’t have her anymore. Although I see her in the cafeteria a lot and love it. Sometimes I even persuade her to buy me a little snack, she always needs to have a bite though.
So far she, and our family, have had a hard 2005, though Mama has been supportive through the whole thing. First off, Mama has had surgery. She went through a lot. Secondly, she came down with the flu, she was the only one in our family. I’ve never experienced it before but I’m sure it was awful. Then, last, my 4-year-old dog Casey died in a car accident. I think my mom struggled with it the most since she had to see it all happen. Even though the year got off to a rough start we have all tried our best to support each other, especially Mom. My mom, though, has done her best, for instance for her birthday we went to a Boston Red Sox game! We are all huge Red Sox fans. It’s so funny to hear mom screaming at the TV. Often times I hear her screaming from downstairs from up in my room. She always says things like “Slide!” or “Yaaaaaa” really loud. I’m surprised the neighbors haven’t called to complain yet! She always makes me laugh. This would definitely brighten up her 2005!
Mama is not like a snotty mom who never makes time for their kids. She always does and loves to do it. My mom definitely deserves the special treat to the Inn by the Sea because she has worked so hard to please everybody and keep the family strong. This would be something she would love and the whole family would too. “Mama” is truly the best mother around and certainly makes the best “mac-n-cheese.”
My Mom, From Day One
By Maria Doudakis, 14
If someone were to ask me,
What the word mom meant to me,
14 years ago,
it’s a word that I could not put into sentences,
Because it’s something more than words can describe.
But what I can tell you,
Is that it’s a feeling, an everyday reality.
Starting from my first cry, being held and sung to sleep,
To my first steps,
To her sitting up night after night when I was sick.
From my first day of school,
She’s been there quietly in the background,
Guiding the young girl to become a lady.
And supporting my decisions.
No matter how wrong they may be,
Because she knows that in the end
It is the little girl she raised
Who became a young lady with class,
And treat others with respect.
My mom has been there,
And will be there with me
Throughout my years,
To travel a hard but fun road called “life.”
And help me taste how sweet life is.
For that I thank God everyday.
Grand Prize Winner of the Mother
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