November 12, 2007 Archives

How has music changed your life and helped you connect with other people? That's a question at the heart of the new movie "August Rush," and it's one we want to hear from you about. Post your stories below or upload your photos answering that question, and you can win one of these great prizes:

5 iPod/MP3 mini speakers
5 women’s musical-notes T-shirts
5 dark brown full zip hoodies embroidered with "August Rush" title treatment
1 mini guitar clock
1 pair of Bushnell 12 x 32 Powerview Binoculars

In "August Rush," opening Nov. 21, a young boy (Freddie Highmore) who's never met his parents makes his way to New York City to search for them. There, he encounters a makeshift shelter where dozens of children like him live under the protection of the enigmatic Wizard (Robin Williams)--and, picking up a guitar, the boy discovers he has an innate talent for music. As he works to develop that talent, he never gives up hope of finding his parents--and believes that if they can hear his music, they will find him.

So how has music made a difference in your life and connected you with others?

What was your most meaningful angel experience?

In mid-October Beliefnet featured a contest asking the above question with two boxes of Angelic Messenger Cards by Meredith Young-Sowers as the prizes.

We were awed by your openness, honesty, and willingness to describe such personal experiences--all 116 of you who entered.

After reading the stories, Beliefnet is happy to announce the two winners who will be receiving their prizes shortly:

Shauna B. of Australia
Suzanne R. of Texas

Shauna B. of Australia shared: "I truly believe I saw angels the night my son died in December 1998. Dean was just 18 and a wonderful, friendly young man with the world at his feet. Late one evening, he collapsed in a violent seizure while [going] into his apartment to socialize with his friends and his older brother, David. [Dean] wasn't epileptic. Nearly nine years later, I still do not know why he died...." Read more

Suzanne R. of Texas shared: "Although this happened 12 years ago, [the experience] was so profound that it lives inside me as if it happened yesterday.

I was almost eight months pregnant with my first child. I went to my doctor for a final ultrasound check up. After the ultrasound, the doctor paused with much concern on his face. He then told me that there was conclusive evidence on the ultrasound that my daughter had a defect. She would most likely to be born with cerebral palsy or mental retardation. I was overwhelmed with shock and disbelief...." Read more

We hope you will be as inspired by these angelic experiences as we are. To read more of the stories that Beliefnet readers shared, please click here.