Meet my beautiful mom, Shirley Forbes.

I’m so very proud to be her daughter!

May 15, 2008

It’s May! I am hoping those May showers will bring some flowers, though it did not look like that was going to happen this past weekend! I hope everyone braved the storms safely. I went home to Chesapeake for Mother’s Day, but trying to return home Sunday evening I had to stay in Richmond because the traffic and weather were so bad. It was rough trip, but completely worth it since I got to spend Sunday with Mom.

Looks like I owe all of you an update on life as Miss Greater Richmond! I had a fabulous time riding in the Norfolk Azalea Parade on April 19. I was joined by Preteen MGR Prentiss Marquis and Junior MGR Madison Scherrer as we rode through the downtown area. I was also thrilled to see two of my friends from the Miss Virginia Class of 2008 – Ashley Smith, Miss Norfolk and Elizabeth Crot, Miss Hampton Roads. We just had a great day together!

The following week I was the guest speaker at the Hanover Rotary where one of my directors, Buddy Cox is a member. Those gentlemen were awesome – so welcoming and so funny!! They had me laughing all evening. I even autographed a few picture cards for their sons and daughters, which is always fun to do. One member has a son serving in Iraq so his Dad was very happy to have my photo addressed to his son.

On May 4, I participated in Georgetown University Hospital’s Queen for a Day event. For those of you who do not know, Queen for a Day offers quality of life services to pediatric cancer patients. Girls are pampered with make-overs, manicures, and a ‘coronation ceremony.’ Boys are treated with hero-themed gifts, reinforcing bravery and courage through police officers and firefighters. While many of these girls and boys were very sick, it was wonderful to be able to put a smile on their faces and make a small difference in their lives. I think the hardest part of the day was trying to keep Spider Man away from my girls – they were so scared of him, Haha!

I told one of the Georgetown volunteers that they needed to bring a different super hero next time. J I want to extend a special thank you to Junior Miss Madison Scherrer and her sister, Lauren for donating several crowns to give the girls at Queen for a Day.

This past Thursday and Friday were two of the most special days I have had thus far as Miss Greater Richmond. On Thursday, I attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a brand new USO lounge at Reagan National Airport. The lounge is first class all the way and will act as a resting place for soldiers and their families as they travel to and from the Reagan Airport. I am talking LCD television, massage chairs – the works! It’s amazing. What an honor to be there on its opening day. On Friday, I attended a USO-sponsored lunch at the Pentagon for wounded soldiers with Caitlin Uze, Miss Greater Springfield and Kristena Wright, Miss Fairfax. We had a great time visiting with the soldiers, their families, and many high-ranking military officers – including Secretary of Defense Robert Gates! The soldiers’ high spirits and positive attitudes were truly an inspiration to all of us.

Thank you, USO, for all you do for our men and women in uniform.

This weekend I head to Charlottesville for my little brother’s graduation from U.Va.!! I can’t wait! I am so proud of him and always love going back to my college town. J

Coming up – Memorial Day weekend of rest and relaxation then forward march to the Miss Virginia Competition in Roanoke, June 22-28. I’ll have one more journal entry before leaving on June 22^nd.

You may email me at: missgtrrichmond @yahoo.com