Many miles separate the sisters two, 
But how dearly they’d love just once more
To be able to hug, whisper and laugh,
While sharing tales of old family lore;

My step-mom is past eighty one and she
Has cancer; her health’s really quite poor;
But the Atlantic is wide and travel is dear,
Keeping Mary from Canada’s shore—

Before it’s too late and only one remains
I beg of you and do humbly implore,
If at all possible that Mary and Pam
Could greet each other at Pam’s front door!

And embrace each other just one more time—
Their last visit brought many tears to the fore,
When Pam’s daughter passed away from us all
What emptiness—what a sadness she bore!

So if the gap between Ireland and B.C.
Could be closed as Mary and hubby do soar
To the waiting arms of my step-mom, Pam—
Happy hearts would beat with joy ever more!
Many thanks to Pam’s stepdaughter Maryalice and to all of the participants who shared their stories with us.
 

Rules and Regulations

Contest Period

The "Home for the Holidays" contest will take place from November 5, 2013 at 12:00 am (ET) to November 18, 2013 at 11:59 pm (ET).

Eligibility

To enter, you must be at least 18 years of age and a Canadian citizen or permanent legal resident. Quebec residents are not eligible.

Employees of tripcentral.ca and their immediate family members are not eligible. Immediate family includes spouses, parents and children or any persons with whom such employees reside.

Submission Rules

No purchase or payment necessary to enter. You may enter only once. Multiple entries for the same person will be disqualified.

Mailed submissions must be received by the contest end date.

Inappropriate Content

Obscene, provocative or otherwise questionable content will not be considered. We retain sole discretion as to what constitutes inappropriate content.

Rights

By entering the contest, entrants agree to have their submitted name displayed on our website and used by us for any purpose, at any time, without any fee or other form of compensation. The pictures and letters once submitted will become the shared property of tripcentral.ca and its creators, for publication, re-use, editing, etc. without royalty or compensation to the other parties.

Prize

The winner will receive a round-trip flight for their loved one. The flight may leave from anywhere in the world, but it must arrive to- and- depart from- Canada. No name changes are permitted. Winner must provide proof of citizenship. The prize cannot be redeemed for cash. Prize is non-transferable.

Winners will be contacted after the contest deadline through the information they provide and must accept their prize within three days of being contacted (November 27 2013). Legal names and contact information of both parties will be required by December 4 2013, as well as the two airport locations. Travel must commence on before December 23, 2013 and be completed by January 19, 2014.

Space is subject to availability and will be confirmed once loved ones names are advised to us. Although we will endeavour to book the most direct route, specific airlines, routings or flight times can only be confirmed at time of booking and are booked at tripcentral.ca's discretion. Winner will be responsible for departure taxes, not to exceed $100 per person.

Video

By accepting the prize, the prizewinner is also agreeing to documentation of the reunion between the prizewinner and their loved one on film. They are also agreeing to this film being displayed on the tripcentral.ca website and used by us for any purpose, at any time, without any fee or other form of compensation.

By entering this contest, you acknowledge having read these rules and agree to be bound by them and the decisions of Sponsor and the independent Contest organization, which shall be final and binding on all entrants. Entry into the Contest constitutes agreement to be bound by the Official Contest Rules.

We reserve the right to disqualify any entry for which tripcentral.ca determines, at its sole discretion dismissible.