I received an email from Sean, a podcast listener for over a year, who wanted me to make a rosary for him to give to his wife to celebrate her retirement from teaching. This was the beginning of several emails and telephone calls, after which I made this rosary consisting of the birthstones of his wife and their three sons. Birthstones are always a challenge; we used alexandrite, topaz, amethyst, and peridot. The centerpiece is an image of Mary praying. The crucifix is that which is used on the papal ferula. Not only was this is a special project to work on, I was also fortunate to gain a new friend.