The Woman is Jessica Gilbert

For Jessica from Jessica's perspective, go to the California Sisters web site.

For Jessica from John's perspective read on:

First, how we met. She and her sister Pat do an extravagant high tea each Mother's Day, and my at-that-time 95- year-old Aunt Laura and I began attending. Three times I went, becoming more involved in the program each time. After my aunt died, I quit going.

However, this spring I ran into Jessica and her sister at the annual We Kan! Conference. (This one of the many projects of Marci Penner, a champion for rural and small town Kansas. She is a true phenomenon. Check out her web site.)

As you can see, Jessica is pleasing to look at, and I was much impressed by what she and her sister had accomplished in Ramona (Kansas), so I asked her out.

Here's Jessica's take on our first date-to-be in a 22 March email (which she later called smart alecky).

Good morning John,
Well, our "outing" should be interesting: a pro-life Catholic and a pro-choice pagan yogi mystic.
Blessings for today's adventures,
Jess

That outing has led to many others, a variety of wonderful events and experiences. Jessica is generous, kind, affirming and affectionate. Truly, no one has ever treated me better in my life. Her behavior toward me has been exemplary.

However, her spirituality, which she follows with great seriousness, and my spirituality, which is plain old Catholicism, are not only different; they are incompatible, which is a problem. This brings me to God.