The finalists for our “Win a Cabana” contest have been chosen! From mothers to husbands (even Mark Wahlberg and Audrey Hepburn!), we enjoyed reading about who you would spend a cabana day with! Now it’s up to YOU to choose who will be spending a day lounging in our Date Palm Cabana! Voting ends Sunday, September 12 at 10:00 pm so make sure you cast your vote!  Enjoy our finalists’ entries and thank you to everyone who participated!

#1- Lasting Memories: Spending a day with my baby sister, Linda, would be like getting two for one. Since our Mother passes two years ago, spending time together keeps the memories of her alive. We reminisce and share hilarious and touching stories that we’ll later share with her favorite people–our children. Our time together has helped us realize how many of our Mom’s quirky personality traits, wonderful qualities and family traditions we have adopted as our own. Our Mom, like so many other great women of her time, was a progressive Mother. There was never a doubt that our Dad and us girls were the most important thing in her life. I’m sure my sister and I will create a lasting memory the we can share with our children.–Gerri

#2-A Long-Awaited Anniversary: I have been in the ER seven times over the past 12 weeks and admitted to the hospital four times. My husband has been my partner, caretaker and unrelenting support. I know it has been trying on him and he would LOVE a day at Glen Ivy. Due to the above, my husband and I had to cancel our fifth year anniversary cruise to the Caribbean. This would truly be a treat and would help me say “thank you” to the man I love who takes such good care of me. He is so deserving of this day. He is so humble and patient he would never ask for it so it would be a nice surprise.–Lorianne

#3- A Day With Mom: I would spend it with my mother. My mother passed away 12 years ago while I was pregnant with my first child. I feel there is so much of my life she missed and she never got to meet her two grandchildren or see me purchase my first home. I have not had the opportunity to share my life with her. I would love to spend the day reflecting on my memories of my mother, her words of wisdom, her advise and counsel. I would spend the day getting to know myself better and searching for signs and resemblances of my mother in me. I truly miss having her in my life. Whenever I see the Birds of Paradise (her favorite flower), I know her spirit is with me and that all things are good.–Latrice

#4- Beginning a Friendship: If I could spend one day at Glenn Ivy in one of the cabanas with one person it would have to be my co-worker, Miranda. I moved here from Minnesota a year ago and have been busy trying to make ends meet. All of my family and friends are so far away, and while my husband is great, I need some girl time. I would love to become better friends with Miranda but our job makes it hard to do so. She also desperately needs the time to relax.  She is a single mom who is underpaid and overworked. Despite all the hardships, she always manages to smile and get a whole room laughing with her. It normally takes me a long time decide whether I want to be friends with someone, because I know that a good friendship takes time and energy. Oddly, I have felt an instant connection with Miranda and just know that we are meant to be friends forever.  Given the time to relax and have some fun our friendship can start to blossom.–Nichole

#5- A Deserving Friend: I would pick my friend Gina who is an amazing woman who deserves such a chance. This year has been quite difficult for her, she lost her father and stepfather within a few months of each other. For years she has spent much of her time taking care of her father and also supporting her mother and family when her stepfather was ill. She takes on the burden of the world and doesn’t complain, but one can see the pain is deep. In many ways she has been my light when I lost my job and living through the fear of almost losing a family member this year. She has been there unconditionally for the people around her and deserves a chance to take care of herself. It would give her a glimpse of happiness when this year has been filled with such darkened tragedies. –Nancy