Explore the short films.

In a series of signature short films, see how the God Box project unfolds and enhances lives.

“Do you have a God Box?” follows the personal journey of those who write heartfelt petitions and faithfully tuck them away. Truly, anyone, anywhere, anytime can bring Mary Lou’s mother’s powerful note-writing ritual into his or her own life and learn to let go.

Acclaimed singer/songwriter Aron Wright out of Nashville generously contributed his then unreleased - now released - song "Life is a Holy" to this short film. Please click here to download this track at iTunes. The song is wonderfully lyrical.

In this short documentary film, we follow Mary Lou from her family farmhouse in Bucks County, Pennsylvania to her life in New York City as she embarks on the personal journey of a lifetime. We learn why she decided to go public with the story of The God Box and her mother’s most heartfelt notes. And how Mary Lou is sharing her mother’s legacy for all of us to treasure, pass on to others and, importantly, consider incorporating into our own lives.

The book trailer is an intimate portrait of Mary Lou and her mother, Mary. It tells the loving story of a mother and daughter, reveals Mary’s note-writing ritual called the God Box and shows us all why hope, love and faith can never be underestimated. And that the bonds of family never die.

• "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"
• "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 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
• "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
• "A beautiful story of love, faith and family. It reads like an intimate, familiar prayer."
  – ELIZABETH GILBERT, AUTHOR OF "EAT, PRAY, LOVE"

May 24, 2013
by Mary Lou Quinlan

Today, the love of my life, Joe Quinlan receives his Masters degree in Irish and Irish American Studies from NYU. Joe likes to joke that he is the Bluto Blutarski of NYU...his Animal House laugh about his five years in school. But I feel serious today.  Seriously proud. I have watched Joe as he researched and read, studied and wrote. Joe was a sponge for everything Irish. He loved the learning, the faculty, the sessions of music and poetry, politics and thought. Joe found his greatest joy in the stories behind the stories...the family of ...