Every show, Mom and Dad are closer to me

The question I am asked most often is: How do you do this, again and again? Aren’t you emotionally exhausted or just ready to cry?” No. Every show, Mom and Dad are closer to me. And nothing makes me happier. Hope you will check out the events tab on the home page to see when the show is coming to your area! Or write to me at hello@thegodboxproject.comand perhaps I can travel to your town!

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MONDAYS WITH MOM: The Day BEFORE the Day

Right now I can hear my Mom’s voice in my ears as I watch the clock and calendar move toward April 17, the official publication date of “The God Box.“A watched pot never boils.” “Let it go. Give it to God.” “Put it in the God Box.”

Mom knew when she saw my foot tapping wildly under the desk (just as hers did, by the way!), that I was anxiously trying to make something happen. I am guilty of trying to press my willpower into service when I really, really want something. And here’s what I really hope for right now. I really hope that this little book will go straight to the hearts of millions of people. I hope in some way it will bring comfort and peace to those who have lost someone they love…that it will bring needed relief and smiles to a worried world…and that it might inspire others to start their own God Box ritual and legacy. I hope that its success will contribute in a big way to the war against cancer—where I am dedicating the proceeds, among other local causes. And most of all, I hope for something that I will just have to trust comes true: that Mom will be proud and know that I have tried to tell her story with the best I’ve got.

All that said, the only way that all this can happen is if people buy the book. (Sharing your copy is wonderful, but everyone ought to have their own!). So, as is tradition on ‘Opening Day’ of a new book, I ask that tomorrow you invite your personal social circles to order it on amazon http://www.amazon.com/The-God-Box-Sharing-Mothers/dp/1608323609/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334601082&sr=1-1 .

Or ask them to head to their local Barnes and Noble and find it on the big Inspirational Mother’s Day table (tell them to order more if they are sold out!)or for bulk quantities, go to 800 CEOREAD.com for discounted quantities and great service for groups: http://800ceoread.com/book/search/KW/DE/Hardcover%2CPaperback%2CMass+Market+Paperbound/The+God+Box+Quinlan/1

Every book bought that day drives the opening rankings which is what inspires booksellers, media folks and others to pay attention and build greater reach.

And if your pals like the book, please ask if they’d post a review on amazon.com, again invaluable for readers.

More than anything, I want to say thank you to an amazing group of people who have been by my side, guardian angels, day by day for months bringing their own creativity and heart and skill to the launch of this labor of love: Chelsea Castner, Lissa Lowe, Rachel Cost, Jennie Willink, Susan Kittenplan, Martha Wollner, Kristin Brewer, Michael Sullivan, David Broad, Tony Chow, Phillip Ting, Dennis Clevenger, Julie Vetter, Jude Lutge, Kathryn Whyte, Mark Laita, Beth Feldman, Leslie Norden, Maggie Howley, Bryan Carroll, Lari Bishop, Sheila Parr, Alan Grimes, Jenn McMurray, Abby Kitten and Tanya Hall and likely many hands that touched this book with their talent. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Hands on, Mary Lou.

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Day of rest after dancing with “The God Box”

Last night, on a beautiful April evening in my hometown of Philadelphia, I introduced “The God Box”, surrounded by the people I love best, my family. Not only my beloved Joe, brother Jack and Sandy, sister in law Ginny and Tony, but many of our closest friends and the extended family of those who have battled through cancer. The  event was the annual Coaches VS Cancer Gala which has raised over $8 million for the American Cancer Society’s research and services programs.

It was held in the Park Hyatt, still affectionately known as The Bellevue by Philly people, in the ballroom where I first fell in love with Joe. We danced that night at a Saint Joe’s event and last night after I talked about the book and the role it will play fighting this terrible disease. Though I have to admit my too – high heels took a toll on my toes, my heart couldn’t be lighter.If I look sparkley outside, that’s nothing compared to what I feel inside. The God Box is on its way. here we go, Mom!

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sample chapter
Enjoy a free selected chapter from The God Box.
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reading group guide
Invite your book club to join this engaging conversation about Mary Lou’s book.
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printable mini cards
Share these mini note cards or write notes for your God Box.
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mobile app
The God Box app makes it easy to write notes on the go.
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giving back
Ask how Mary Lou can support your local cause with the book and play.
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Come meet Mary Lou and experience The God Box: A Daughter's Story at a venue near you.
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press & praise
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  • "A wonderful legacy…Keeping a God Box is an incredibly moving and hopeful ritual that we should all consider adding into our daily lives."
    – REBA, MUSICIAN, AUTHOR, ACTRESS
  • "In the slips of paper that carry this sweet story forward, we can see the love in our own families and the great possibilities of simple faith."
    – JEFFREY ZASLOW, COAUTHOR OF "THE LAST LECTURE"
  • "Mary Lou Quinlan shares her mother’s handmade and heartfelt gift of how to persist, believe and move forward with joy."
    – LEE WOODRUFF, AUTHOR OF "IN AN INSTANT"
  • "Mary Lou Quinlan has told the story of her mother in a way that entertains, moves and inspires. The thoughts about life and values will stick with you forever."
    – JIM LEHRER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR OF PBS NEWSHOUR
  • "The courage and wisdom from the messages left in her mother’s God Box will inspire you to create a God Box of your own."
    – GAIL SHEEHY, AUTHOR OF "PASSAGES IN CAREGIVING"
  • "What a beautiful and profoundly human book....I will keep The God Box in my heart for a long, long time."
    – LAURA SCHROFF, AUTHOR OF "THE INVISIBLE THREAD"
  • "A beautiful story of love, faith and family. It reads like an intimate, familiar prayer."
    – ELIZABETH GILBERT, AUTHOR OF "EAT, PRAY, LOVE"

The God Box App is shiny new and ready to welcome your cares

March 29, 2024
by Mary Lou Quinlan

Since The God Box book was published in the spring of 2012, so many readers have told me that they started their own God Boxes. I love hearing stories of children creating God Boxes and married couples joining their prayer and cares in a family box. (And my mother would be thrilled!)  A 'real' God box is a constant reminder that we are not in control and that letting go is the first step to finding comfort, hope and relief for life's worries. But did you know that many thousands have gone virtual with their God boxes? To help the many busy ...

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