That's What A Mama Does
Email Article As Mamas, we likely know how to survive on 3 hours of sleep, perfectly cut the crust off a PB&J sandwich, hold our breath as our teenager drives for the first time, and hide our tears as they grow up and leave home. We learned these things in our secret “Mama Training” while receiving a set of eyes in the back of our head shortly after the birth of our first child. What we didn’t receive in that “Mama Training” was the proper instructions on taking care of ourselves and each other. Thus why the Smokin’ Hot Mama Club was created.
Mama has always been my favorite title and now to be the Head Mama of more than 5500 women from around the world, well that’s nothing short of the jackpot! For the past 11 months I have dreamt of what the Smokin’ Hot Mama Club movement would look like in real life. How would perfect strangers greet one another as fellow Mamas? How would they encourage one another when face to face? Would they be able to permanently leave behind their old catty, gossipy, judgmental ways . . . would I?
What I witnessed in Joplin, Missouri as perfect strangers from six different states gathered under the banner of the Smokin’ Hot Mama Club has confirmed my dream of changing the world, one Mama at a time. Allow me to take you backstage for a few of my most memorable moments.
Our Pep Rally had little girls following in their Mama’s footsteps wearing “Smokin’ Hot Mama in Training” shirts. While one row over sat a beautiful, mature Mama in her 70’swho had just completed her last cancer treatment. A Mama of five sitting next to the woman who cannot have children. High school friends reunited after 16 years. A husband dressed in hot pink to support his wife’s journey. Women whose homes are thousands of miles apart were now singing “M-A-M-A” to the tune of YMCA in unison. That’s what a Mama does!
An occasional squeal would be heard from the hallways of the Baymont Inn which was flooded with a sea of hot pink for the weekend. That squeal signified the welcoming of another fellow Mama arriving and being greeted by a perfect stranger. Someone they had likely never actually spoken to, yet welcomed like a long lost sister coming home for the holidays. Hugs, tears and laughter ensued. That’s what a Mama does!
October 10, 2010 had been designated as our PERFECT ’10 day (10/10/10). On this day we would become our very best together and celebrate our journey by completing a 5K, ½ or full marathon. What would happen time and time again at that finish line astounded this Mama.
An elite Boston Marathon runner came to the side of a first time ½ marathon Mama who had cramped up on mile 10 of her 13.1 mile journey. She helped carry her across the finish line as onlookers must have assumed they were family. Yet the only thing they had in common was the Smokin’ Hot Mama Club hot pink cape which graced their back. That’s what a Mama does!
For 7 hours Mamas stood in the hot sun cheering on perfect strangers as they crossed the finish line. When one of their own appeared on the homestretch with their hot pink cape flying behind them, they ran out to meet them and cross the finish line with them, celebrating their victory as if an Olympic gold medal had been won. That’s what a Mama does!
Witnessing women act in this manner was quite the phenomena and caught the attention of spectators and media alike. I now return home with a renewed desire to spread the movement and complete confidence women are ready to shed those old catty ways once and for all. That’s what a Mama does!
(Please help us spread the movement by sharing this post with all the women in your life as well as media contacts! Together we can become our best and truly change the world, one Mama at a time! I'm proud to be your Head Mama! Loving Life ~ Pamela)
Reader Comments (13)
Pamela, you MUST come to the Gold Coast, Australia. I'm pretty sure we could gather a HUGE group of SHM followers to run the marathon here together. :-)
Awwww my tears are flowing, that was beautiful!!
Well rebecca I am glad I am not the only one crying...LOL......I have no words
I am crying and I was not even able to be there last weekend. But Thats What a Mama will Do.
Truly phenomenal!! I never experienced anything like that! I want to come to ElPaso next year and do it again!!
It did feel like we where all long lost sisters. It was a great time and I am glad I got to be part of the 10/10/10....
Tears are flowing! You're awesome Pam as are all mama's!!
That is such a perfect post! I so loved being a part of that wonderful weekend and love all my new Mama friends!!!
It was a PERFECT weekend!!! So happy I was a part of it! Crossing that finish line is a feeling like no other, but being surrounded by all of you SHM's is a pretty incredible feeling too!
I got choked up and tears came to my eyes watching the mama's I grew up with and the Mama's I have a sisterhood with through this wanderful club 'The Perfect Stranger'.
WOW is about all I can say. Pamela, you are amazing and you have an amazing family.
Pam - What an awesome video! Brought tears to my eyes just watching it! I've done many races, but this was one of the most special because I got to share it with a bunch of women determined to be there best and help others along the way. Thanks for the memories and bringing us all together.
Each of you ladies make this Head Mama proud! Truly a dream come true to witness women treat each other like this!