This Week's Giveaway...In Honor of Hope!

Congrats to 'Vinci' winner of last week's Atomic Goodies Giveaway!

There are times in this life where situations happen that are completely out of our control, and we are not sure how to respond to them.  

Or how to make it through.  

So much of my focus this past weekend has been on Japan, and the devastation that nation and it's precious people are facing.  Over and over again I think How are they going to make it through?  How is anything going to be okay again?

But then I am reminded that Human beings are amazingly resilient.  It is surprising we are because we are also so fragile.  So in spite of the devastation I know that somehow Japan will find a way back from this.  It will not be easy, things will not be the same, they are and will continue to experience sorrow and setbacks...but they will survive.  

And I am glad for Grace when I remember that.  

I am not sure how many of you have seen this particular story on the news, but I wanted to share it because of this truth.  There is always hope.  Whether one is faced with a devastating tsunami or a difficult diagnosis...whether it is a bad day, or the worst day of your life...whether you have lost everything or kept everything and still feel empty...
there is hope.
Meet 60-year-old Hiromitsu Shinkawa, he was rescued two days after the tsunami struck hanging onto what was left of the roof of his house.  He was almost 10 miles (15K) out off of Fukushima Prefecture when he was rescued by a Maritime Defense Force destroyer after a helicopter saw him waving. 

 He is in good condition.

When something unavoidable happened, he held on and kept hoping for two days that he would be found. And he was.  I wonder how many more stories of hope will come out of this tragedy.  I for one sorrow at the loss, but am thankful for the hope.

Hope doesn't disappoint, it is like a voice inside that tells you to keep trying, keep hanging on, keep moving forward.  Hope is a beautiful thing, and it is a beautiful thing that is meant to be shared.

Our featured seller this week, Niftic, is a very special lady.  She is beautiful outside, and her heart is even lovelier. She is someone who has been through some things, and has kept pursuing her passion.  She is someone who has encouraged me on more than one occasion to keep moving forward, to have hope.  She passes that gift of hope along with her sense of humor and her real love for what she does.

She has donated some stunning things for this week's giveaway, items that will remind you not only to think of those who need your thoughts and prayers and help, but I believe items that will bring you joy and remind you to keep your sense of humor, your passion and your hope.  

This week's giveaway, courtesy of NifTic on Etsy:

An Akro Agate Vase, a Cloisonne Japanese Fan Brooch & A Silk Print Japanese Scarf ...

These are Wow prizes! (valued at more than $100)

This week you can enter the giveaway by:

1) Commenting on any blog posting during the week.

2) Becoming a new follower of this blog 

3) Becoming a follower of Niftic on Twitter @ http://twitter.com/#!/NiFticVintage, and commenting here that you have done so.

Happy Commenting!!!