Eye on the Sparrow: A Memoir

D. A. GREGORY WRITES A BOOK OF INSPIRATION AS WELL AS A PERSONAL MEMOIR By Doris Cothron One of the saddest sights to one of compassion is the sight of a small lifeless bird lying on the ground, for in that scene lie no hope, no future, no recovery. What could have been a creature of beauty, God-given melody, a symbol of freedom, and a momentary source of peace and inspiration will never be. Yet in D.A. Gregory’s book His Eye on the Sparrow, a personal memoir published in 2023 by Dorrance Publishing Company, Gregory skillfully uses the fallen sparrow as a symbol of her own life. However, she proves there is hope, there is a future, there is recovery for a fallen one who does not belong. When I first saw the title of the book, my mind went immediately to the song “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” written by Civilla D. Martin in 1905, later put to music by Charles H. Gabriel. Often I had sung the song receiving inspiration from knowing God’s all mighty eye was ever watching. After reading Gregory’s work, I perceived her story, her life as a total rendition of God’s eye ever watching, guiding, healing a broken sparrow. The organization of the work follows chronologically the times, the emotional upheavals, the influences that serve to ameliorate to some degree the pain the author feels as a young girl on into adulthood. It follows the author’s progression into marriage, becoming an Air Force wife in Italy, adopting children. Thus, the narrative is easy to follow. As a young adult Gregory learned her dad’s reaction to the news of her coming birth when after a planned dinner meant to be a celebration of her mother’s pregnancy, he responded “GET RID OF IT!” The abuse the author and her mother receive at the hands of the tyrannical father serve to inundate their homelife with pain, fear, tension, embarrassment. Yet her mother Doris is the foundation and the source of the love and support that enable the author to contend with life. Her grandparents are the additional love so needed. However, as a source of relief there is a degree of humor within the pages as the author dallies with and deceives the young man who so patiently gives her space while she, a teenager, learns her lessons maturing to the point of eventually accepting his marriage proposal. Yet in the background always is the dad who never abandons his hard-core attitude of despising the entire world and all those in it. Then there is the mother-in-law who personifies the “evil” classically attributed to some mothers-in-law. How the author keeps a spark of kindness and civility in the face of such bitter dislike and acts of harassment becomes a miracle in and of itself. How the author as a daughter maintains hope and attempted love for her father to the very end of his life too constitutes an incomprehensible miracle. The transitional format that Gregory uses to tie chapters together in addition to chronology is ingenious. At the end of each chapter, she uses Scripture passages to sum up the chapter, to give the chapter new meaning. Yet this technique accomplishes more. It reveals the source of the inner nature of the author, the fallen sparrow, to take heart, to keep hoping, to keep fighting for life’s better meaning and outcome. For the reader these scriptures also provide inspiration, Bible study as the reader sees Biblical meaning personified . . . maybe even to the point of realization of the Scripture’s greater depth as was the case with my sister to whom I gave a copy of His Eye on the Sparrow as a Christmas gift. I especially enjoyed the book because there were many incidents, ideas, and attitudes with which I could associate, for many, a reason to read. Though the author grew up in Long Island, New York, and this reader grew up in rural West Kentucky, I found myself remembering the cultural mores of society of the fifties and sixties just as she described them. As a Christian I so understood the process by which she and her husband ultimately came to an Easter morn “altar of prayer” on a mountain in Italy. I also had fought that spiritual trip as a young girl but had eventually taken it. When Gregory and Herb, her husband, decide to strike out across the Alps in a storm of sleet and snow, I find myself screaming at them, “Why in the world! Keep your tails home until the weather clears!” Having traveled through the Alps, I knew there was absolutely no way I would have ever started out in a Volkswagen in such conditions. Yet, being stranded in a most precarious place in the mountains during the blinding snowstorm and surviving is fact of God’s all-seeing eye as well as a miracle that foreshadows other miracles that will continue to occur to strengthen Gregory’s resolve and her faith. As a Christian high school and college writing teacher, I highly recommend this book as it is not only a well written book but also a portrayal of a fallen sparrow coming to life, a melody of God’s Word echoing truths, a freedom denied a fallen sparrow becoming one of lives set free and filled with grace and peace, and an inspiration heralding the hope that comes from allowing God to guide. Yet, there’s John, the father. Another fallen sparrow…?

Gregory's novel vividly captures the vibe of the era...beneath the wholesome American dream were struggles outwardly unknown yet significant in her young life. God's sovereign care, in spite of broken people and challenging circumstances, is the golden thread that shines through Dee's story. Christ's love indeed covers all. Let the reader be encouraged that His eye is on the sparrow and on each individual!

I loved this book! From the minute I started reading I didn't want to put it down. I was compelled to turn to the next chapter to see what was in store next. Beautifully written, Dee's life story illustrates the depth of God's love and how, through faith, he can take even the shattered pieces of our lives and put them back together in a beautiful mosaic. If you are struggling with any difficult circumstance and need encouragement, you will find it in these pages.

I read extensively, but I’ve never read a book of “Memoirs”, and my initial apprehension was quickly subdued. It grabs your interest in the first few chapters while remaining compelling and relatable through the final chapters. I highly recommend this book; it’s truly worth your reading experience!

I recently ordered the book " Eye On The Sparrow" from your bookstore. What an open and honest memoir! It touched me deeply as Dee Gregory seemed to be writing my life story too. I hope writing this book and her deep faith brought healing to her life. The title stumped me but is was awesome how she compared her life stories to that lifeless sparrow. A must read!

In her book, "Eye on the Sparrow - A Memoir", Dee Gregory has written a powerful message of growth, of overcoming obstacles and of faith in God. Her life experiences will be an encourager to the readers.

D. A. Gregory has written a powerful message of growth, of overcoming difficult experiences and of faith in God. Her life experiences will be an encouragement to the reader

Eye On the Sparrow is a wonderful book and I loved it. I couldn't put it down and was blessed reading it. I encourage everyone to read it!! You won't be sorry.

I flew through this book, devouring every chapter! A childhood tormented by parents with their own demons, the author found her salvation through Christ. You’ll laugh and cry, sometimes in the same chapter.