I’m sure most of you have read that I dedicated all of my June posts in memory of my 9 year old son, Austin, who was killed in a car accident 4 years ago June 15. Well, I have one more very special one to add to my list. But, I have to share a story with it. The story is very dear to my heart and I will always remember it.
I started collecting these crystal cubes about 2 years prior to my car accident. My husband got me 2 when he visited Korea. My mom and dad brought back one from Graceland in Memphis, TN. My in laws brought back 2 from New York. I have one with a hummingbird and one with flowers. I have one with a bible verse and one with a picture of Jesus on the cross. I had 2 or 3 light bases to go with them. Before I got a curio cabinet to put them in, they were on my dresser.
I had this huge addiction to myspace 4 years ago and I would stay on it many hours into the night. The Bear was 4 and he would easily go to bed around 8:00 PM but Austin would stay awake until I came to bed. See, my husband worked a swing shift and I had to have my kids in the bed with me when he was on nights. Anyway, Austin would come in the office time after time, asking when I was coming to bed. I know…sad, right? Also, when I finally went to bed, I would listen to this CD, using headphones, attempting to learn Spanish “subliminally”.
Fast forward to the night of June 14, 2006. I made myself a promise a couple of weeks before then that the first time Austin came in the office to ask if I was coming to bed, I would go. Still sad, I know. I put them in the bed and about 30 minutes later, he came in and asked me to come to bed. He said he had a surprise for me. I walked into the bedroom to find the crystal cubes arranged beautifully on my nightstand, 3 of them on the light bases with the lights on. He had placed my headphones and CD player on my pillow. I will never forget his sweet voice saying, “Mom, do you like what I did?” He was always so loving and unselfish. I miss him so…
Shortly after the accident I placed them all in a curio cabinet. I then found a company that would etch a photo of my boys into one of those crystal cubes. I chose one of my favorite photos and sent it off, praying that it wouldn’t get lost in the mail or something. I cried like a baby the day I received my cube in the mail with that special picture. It now sits on a special shelf, on it’s own light base, in my curio cabinet. It is my most precious cube.
Just so you know, I don’t spend an excessive amount of time on the computer anymore while my family is home. I have realized that the time spent with them is too precious and you never know when your last moment will be.
I contacted many companies attempting to find giveaways that would be special and accomplish my goal of helping you to create and keep your memories. I especially wanted to giveaway a crystal cube but received only one response back from the crystal companies I contacted.
I emailed Oscar from Crystal Images USA and gave him a brief synopsis of my story, asking him if he’d be willing to donate a custom cube in exchange for a company review. He actually called me to discuss it. I could not have been happier with his willingness to help and to make this special for me. We have been in contact numerous times and he has been absolutely a pleasure to work with. I did not ask for a cube to review as I am confident that they are wonderfully and beautifully made, as are the ones I have. I have no doubt that had I asked for one, Oscar would have been happy to give it.
Here is a brief summary from the Crystal Images USA website:
Custom crystal gifts and awards to commemorate special people, times and places. Create a custom / personalized keepsake that will treasured and proudly displayed. Crystal Images USA, your one-stop on-line shopping center for the quality products and service. Our artists specially prepare your logos, photos and text for laser etching or surface engraving. Our proprietary 2D+ software will render an astounding reproduction of your images inside of top grade optical crystal. Once engraved or laser etched, your photos, logos or text will not fade.
Oscar and Crystal Images USA wants to offer a G4M reader one large custom laser etched or engraved crystal cube with light base. You pick the photo and inscription. These large cubes are valued anywhere between $120 and $160! These are beautiful and you don’t want to miss out on this giveaway.
Also, Crystal Images USA wants to offer a free custom crystal keychain, valued at $24.95, to a G4M reader who orders any combination of products totaling at least $100. I have a crystal keychain with an angel on it and I love it! If this is something that you are interested in, please contact me. I will be more than happy to connect you with Oscar to get that order placed quickly and easily.
Read on to find out the many entry opportunities for this wonderful giveaway.
***PLEASE POST A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY.***
***PLEASE LEAVE ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION SO THAT YOUR ENTRY CAN BE VERIFIED!!! (link to your facebook, twitter, blog page)***
The first and mandatory entry is to visit the Crystal Image USA website and tell me your favorite item. Then tell me what you would have etched onto your cube should you be the winner. You must do both of these things in order for your entry to count. (1 giveaway entry)
DAILY entries:
- Click “Share on Facebook” at the bottom of this post and share a few details about this giveaway. Return here. Become a Facebook fan of Giveaways 4 Mommy (see my sidebar). Post, back here, a comment that you did so. Be sure to include your facebook address in your comment so that your entry can be verified. YOU MUST SHARE DAILY IN ORDER TO ENTER DAILY. (1 giveaway entry)
- Following me on twitter (see my sidebar) and then tweeting about this site and giveaway. Return here, posting a comment below, that you did so, including all required information and the twitter address so that your entry can be verified. YOU MUST TWEET DAILY IN ORDER TO ENTER DAILY. (1 giveaway entry)
- Blogging about this giveaway. Comment back here with the blog address so that your entry can be verified. YOU MUST BLOG DAILY IN ORDER TO ENTER DAILY. (1 giveaway entry)
- Linking this giveaway to a Mr. Linky. Comment back here with the web address so that your entry can be verified. YOU MUST LINK UP DAILY IN ORDER TO ENTER DAILY. (2 giveaway entries per site you link up on)
This contest ends July 31, 2010 at 6:00 CST. Winners will be posted on or about August 1, 2010 on the page titled “Mama Won It!” Winners will be contacted via email and have 3 days to claim their prize by responding to that email. If you have not given me a valid email address, I am not held responsible. I will not track you down. A new winner will be chosen on the 4th day.
By entering this contest, you agree that you have read, understand, and agree to the Giveaway Guidelines. This contest is void where prohibited.
Disclosure: I, the owner of this blog, have not been compensated to provide my opinion of this product and/or business. I always give my honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
Tags: crystal, crystal cubes, custom crystal gifts, custom gifts
I dont want to enter but want to tell you how much your story has touched me. As I sit here and write this tears are streaming down my face because your story sounds just like mine. Though I didnt lose my only child, I too sit on the computer all night entering contests. Thinking this is a way I can give my family things I normally couldnt afford, in reading your story I realize the best gift to give them is of me! I am signing off now even though I normally would have about 3 more hours of entering. I think I will go cuddle up to my little one tonight and let her know how much mommy loves her
Thank you for sharing your story, you truly are a beautiful mommy and Austin is smiling down on the mommy that loved him so!
God Bless you and yours
Tammylyne
I liike the Crystal Cube Cut Corner with (or even without) LIght Stand…which is what is being offered in the giveaway, I think! I am having a hard time deciding what I would have etched, but one of my ideas is a picture of my parents. Their 40th wedding anniversary is coming up soon, and I think this might be a perfect gift for the occasion!
Thanks!
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
I shared this on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/profil.....amp;ref=mf
h4schaffer at gmail dot com
Meant to say, too, thank you for the reminder about the way we choose to spend our time. Hope it sticks with me. I don’t have little ones (mine are pretty self-sufficient teens now), but that makes the time I have with them even more precious since they’ll be off and living their own lives soon. And I think it is beautiful that your crystal cube collection symbolizes that sacred bond between you and Austin. So sweet…sounds like he was a very thoughtful little gentleman.
your story brought tears to my eyes, and I have to admit I am guilty of not making time for my daughter because I am frequently too busy as I say-perhaps I don’t read to her as much as I should, or come watch a show with her when she asks… she also sleeps with me, since Daddy works nights. Right now, she is keeping her Grandma company, since my mom lives alone and lost my dad and her mother (who she lived with) within 2 months of each other last year. I would put a photo of my father on it, with Tout Mon Amor, Tout Ma Vie (All My Love, All My Life in French as he was from Canada) and I would give it to my mother. I like this one: Crystal Cube w/ light base “Cut Corner” – Medium.
Crystal Cube “Straight Corner” w/deluxe light base – Large is my favorite and would get a dog who recently died
I really like the Crystal Iceberg Large w/deluxe light base. I would choose a family photo we took on our recent trip to the Grand Canyon.
I like the “Cut Corner” cubes because of the dynamic angles.
I think I’d use a photo of me and my best friend that I took on the day of her wedding. It’s one of the few photos I have of us together.
Crystal Plaque (Medium Landscape Style)
SKU: PLA – F4X6CP
I would choose the Crystal Flat w/deluxe light base “Landscape Style” – Large.
I would like to have a picture of my husband on the cube.
Such beautiful engraved crystal pieces at Crystal Images USA! It’s hard to choose just one, but I think I’d get the Medium Crystal Cathedral and engrave it with a photo of my brother’s wedding and put “Mike and Melody” on it. Thanks so much for the giveaway of such a beautiful item!
~Reading this post was very moving. Your Austin was obviously a very special, loving boy. God bless~
thank you for sharing your story. it is really touching and makes me think about important things in life.
i would choose the Crystal Keychain Round. i would use a picture of me and my mo, then i’d give it to her for her birthday.
thank you.
I really like the Crystal Prestige Award. I’m not really sure about what I want to etch on it, but I think I would like to put in a photo of my friends and I, etched “best friends”
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/bbysmilee/status/19454099265
Wow, these are amazing. I would also like the Crystal Cathedral. So cute!
As for what picture I’d want engraved…I think one of my sister, brother, and me when we were little for my mom. She’d lovee it.
I follow you on twitter: @shootingstarmag
tweet for today-
http://twitter.com/ShootingSta.....9470239849
put in mr. linky here 1:
http://www.ablogofgoodies.com/
put in mr. linky here 2
http://www.ablogofgoodies.com/
thanks for this great giveaway!
I Like the Med Crystal cathedral.
If I won I would want a pic of me and my hubby and our 25th wedding anniversary which is coming up in Dec.
jellybelly82158 at gmail dot com
follow you on Twitter and Tweeted
http://twitter.com/jellybelly8.....9507030979
I went over there, but their site is closed for maintenence. I so think that an ornament would be nice though. If I won, I would put a photograph of my aunt’s dog Lucy. My aunt has been devastated since she lost her.
smchester at gmail dot com
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/bbysmilee/status/19621068314
I like the Crystal Paperweight (Octagon Style) If I won I would put a picture of my daughter on it!
mommys3lilbirds at gmail dot com
http://twitter.com/hell_0kitty/status/19863656817
mommys3lilbirds at gmail dot com
Another product that I would love to get for my husband or oldest son would be the 3d Crystal Cubes with a OU Sooners Helmet or a Steelers Helmet!
If I won I would want a picture of my 3 boys and the inscription would say My Blessings
Thank you for reminding me that my family is way more important than spending time on the computer
I follow you on Twitter and I Tweeted @36momma
http://twitter.com/giveaways4m.....6899690661
Wow, i love personalized gifts and Crystal Images USA has some great ones. I like the Crystal Keychains a lot!!
My favorite item from Crystal Image USA is the Color Crystal Photos and Portraits – Ex-Large Rectangle with attached Crystal Base. Should we win the cube I would have a facsimile of our three puppies etched onto it.
Thanks for sharing your story. I too am sometimes guilty of not spending time with my family. Every moment is special because you never know if you will have another one. The Crystal Cube with Light Base is my favorite item. I would have it engraved with our anniversary date.
I love the Crystal Cathedral.
I would have my husband’s name, my name and our wedding date.
Crystal Cube Cut Corner – my parents anniv is coming up next month
I love the color crystal photo item and I would probably etch a pic of my daughter on it.
madamerkf at aol dot com
I really like the 8×10 marble memorial.
http://www.mcssl.com/store/cry.....f42754afbd
Following you on Twitter and tweeted:http://twitter.com/fatmeatloaf1/status/20017719278
I love the Crystal Circles!
And~I would put a picture of my parents as they are both deceased now so this would bring back many happy memories.
I like the Crystal Ornament – Round and I would love my pets etched on the keychain.
I follow you on Twitter
Tweet!~
http://twitter.com/Deb55106/status/20018159890
These are all really nice. I am in love with the Heart-Shaped Crystal with attached Crystal Base. I would love to have a picture of my children etched. Thanks for the great giveaway
mrsjohnson1982 at yahoo dot com
I would love the crystal pucks and I would get my best friend’s wedding photo and their names engraved on it. They just got married and I think this would be such a lovely gift. Thank you!
I “like” you on facebook and I posted on my page about this giveaway with a link. Facebook.com/lstixrud
I follow you on twitter and here’s my tweet http://twitter.com/Lstixrud/status/20042473649
I posted on my blog http://colitascorner.blogspot......eaway.html