"And the reality of God? Where will that be found? Well, I'll save you the trouble of reading all these many pages to find the answer. The reality of God lives within the heart of a precious jewel person like me, and like you."

You will laugh at the chaos of family life shared in delightful essays such as "Morning has Broken" and "Summertime" in which she describes getting the kids off to school and what to do with them when they're out for the summer. Or you may chuckle at her descriptions of volunteerism in "Tips on Recruiting" and "Typical Volunteer." You will ask questions of yourself with Garrison: "Would you still say 'I do?'" "What are you doing now that is just for you?" "Am I happy?" "Who is God? Where is God?" And you will cry with her. Whether it is putting the dog to sleep in "The Courage to Say Goodbye," or over a witnessed fire in "The House," or over the death of a family member in "In Gratitude."

Frances Molenda Pelrine
Family Ministries Newsletter
Archdiocese of Chicago

Precious Jewel Person

Articles Listed Chronologically by Content

1. Childhood
   The Moment
   Life Isn't Fair
   The Cry of a Child
   Dreamers
   The Longing
   The Yellow Brick Road
   What Am I Most Grateful For
   Being Human
   Feelings Are Our Friends

2. Marriage/Relationship
   One Other Person
   Forever
   Dreams
   It Dawned on Me
   Meant to Be
   Sometimes

3. Family Life
   Morning Has Broken
   Food Patterns
   Summertime
   Clean Living
   A Tribute to Children
   Saving the Saved
   Symptoms of Spiritual Divorce
   Families Are "In" This Year
   The Dinner
   A Piece of Pie, Some Whipped Cream and Thou
   The Courage to Say Goodbye

4. The Journey Within
   When I said "I Do"
   In Between
   The Heart of Marriage
   Memories
   The House
   Believing in Yourself
   When I Grow Up
   Break Loose

5. Out Into the World
   Tips on Recruiting
   Typical Volunteer
   Outline for an Evening with Friends
   Profile of a Committee
   An Interview with God
   Sounds of Silence

6. Occasions
   Thanksgiving
   The Christmas Message
   Christmas, Christmas
   A Christmas Gift for Jim
   Easter Reflection
   To the People of God on Death of Pope John Paul
   In Gratitude

7. Soul Searchings
   I
   Hunger
   Let There Be Peace on Earth
   What's Important
   Happy?
   Nailed to a Tree
   Who is God? Where is God?
   Commitment
   Prayer
   A Marry Tale
   Alone
   Lunch with Christopher

8. Getting to the Truths
   I Am
   It is Love I Desire, Not Sacrifice
   The Road
   Heaven
   Life's Final Act
   Advent
   The Roses
   Don't Be Afraid to Grow
   Loving People
   The Hope Givers