2010 Hot Momma's Project
by Tamara Plant

I was first made aware of this project last fall when I was nominated by a fellow Twit, @amotherworld (Maria, in real life). I don't know why she nominated me but I was honoured and humbled by the recognition.

"If you’re a woman who wants to help other women, you’re in the right place. Since 2002, the Hot Mommas® Project has produced award-winning role models on paper for women and girls. Now – with the help of people just like you – we are bringing those role models to the forefront in record numbers. Be a role model. Tell your story."

I've never been ashamed of my story or been afraid to tell it but I am a procrastinator and waited until the deadline to submit my application, and only then did it because I was "gently reminded" by Canadian Hot Momma Co-ordinator Lydia Fernandez to send in my story.

So I did.

And then my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. My complete focus became about taking care of him and going through his journey with him. I remember wanting to impress my grandfather (I've always sought his approval, he's the only person who's opinion ever mattered) so I told him about being nominated for this award. In his typical old-man, ornery ways, he said, "So you didn't win."

"No, but I will," I replied, cocky as ever. That was our repertoire. It's how we communicated with each other; I was brash and sassy, he was ornery and stubborn.

I didn't think much of the Hot Mommas Project after that.

My grandfather passed away on Feb. 25, 2010 and a couple of days later I received the email notification that I had won the award. I remember thinking, "See, granpa? I told you I'd win!" I just wish he would have been around to see it.

It's been a long time since I've put out an issue of MOM Magazine, mostly due to dealing with my grief but also because I needed to regroup and revive.

My grandfather once compared MOM Magazine to, "Those rap stars. They're always offending someone! And so are you with that magazine."

I laughed. But you know what? It reminds me of a line from Eminem's Encore:

I'm a trend, I set one every time I'm in
I go out and just come back full circle again
You a fad, that means your something that we already had
But once you're gone, you don't come back, too bad .

Once again, the time has come to stop procrastinating and "come back full circle again."

Thanks for your patience and understanding... MOM is relaunching bigger and better!