Official Rules:
Participation in the Giveaway constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth. Submission will result in one (1) entry. Additional entries will be deleted. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person. At the conclusion of the Entry Period, Ask Sarah will select the names of the winner/s in a drawing of all eligible entries received during the Entry Period. The odds of being selected as a winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period. Entrants agree that their entry comments may be provided to relevant third parties. All decisions are final and at the discretion of Ask Sarah. Winners will be notified by email before having their name published on Facebook, Twitter or the Ask Sarah website. Prizes will be posted to the address provided at entry.
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I am 59 years old, and have health challenges of diabetes and gout, but that is not enough to qualify for disability. (Sarah is often appalled at how dysfunctional the American health care system is, and sadly, I have to agree with her. Yet America is where I live, and despite the challenges of the health care system, I love my home.)
There was a time when I was doing well, so then, I donated to charity. But now times have gotten tougher, and America has a regulation that no one can have given away personal income for a span of 5 years, and qualify for food stamps. I am within that 5 year span, so I cannot qualify.
I developed gout after a bad kidney infection in 1999 left me with injured kidneys. I was in ICU and almost did not make it back out. I am lucky – every day since then has been a bonus that I almost did not get, so I value them. I can mostly control the gout by restricting my diet and not eating foods that trigger it. But gout is also triggered by stress. And so I’m just coming out of a week long gout flare, and being laid up on the couch due to pain and swelling in my left foot.
I make a tenuous living as a jeweler and seller of beading supplies. Twice, this season, I’ve had people place significant orders, and then cancel without payment. This leaves me behind on utility bills, hence the stress, leading to the gout.
If I can win one of these gift cards, it will mean groceries, and that would be very helpful, since I also could not sell jewelry while down with gout, so I am extra behind.
Yet despite being down on my luck, this year, I know the value of second chances, and I am very fortunate to have caring friends. I may not know how I will get through the holidays, yet somehow, I will.
I also write poetry. Here’s one about second chances –
Sometimes, in the hurry of day to day,
we lose focus on what nourishes our hearts.
Having a close call with death
is eye opening.
Suddenly, life means more.
I get another chance!
the sun creeps over the horizon,
and I see all the marvelous colors.
The wind brushes back a lock of hair,
and I feel it trace my cheek.
The scent of flowers wafts up to me.
An old sweet song brings memories of summer times.
And I bite into a fresh, sweet strawberry.
Despite all challenges,
second chances are a gift.
Because now, I allow myself to notice
the good of them, so much more.
– Peg Fisher