Six months later Kate and Shane were married in a little chapel in the mountains, attended by close family and friends.
At the end of the ceremony Eddie rose and prayed softly, “Thank you for this beautiful place You have created. Thank you for love and life. Thank you for the special love now shared by Kate and Shane. We ask that you will bless the commitment they both have made to each other today; that You will bless their lives together and help and guide them in the good times and the harder times of life. May the love they share today grow deeper each day.”
Eddie looked to the group of family and friends. “Please extend you hand over this special couple and make your own prayer for them.”
After a few minutes Eddie quietly concluded with, “Amen.”
The reception to follow had been booked in a mountain chalet some miles away. There they were joined by many more extended family and friends. Eddie was thrilled to see there already Julian, Simon and Joe.
“Can’t stay for long,” they all agreed. “But we wanted to be part of the celebration with you Eddie.”
“And how’s life in the west?” Simon asked.
“Same as in the east, south, north,” Eddie smiled. “I bet you’re all flat out. And a lot of it was never mentioned in the seminary!”
“You’re right there!” agreed Julian.
Light-hearted anecdotes and exchanges followed.
Eventually, the three merged into the happy group of wedding guests while Eddie moved to his mother’s side.
“Sorry Mum, I got caught up with the boys. What should I be doing?”
Margie smiled at him. “Just go on and enjoy yourself. I bet you and your mates have a lot to catch up on. The caterers are looking after the food and drink. So… enjoy!”
The celebration continued well into the night. As they had announced earlier, his friends had to leave before the celebrations concluded. Eddie farewelled each of his friends with the customary hug and silent prayer.
As he watched their car fade into the night many thoughts tumbled and sought clarification. Only seven years since ordination and we’ve all had to deal with human problems. Our seminary training never showed us how to deal with a human crisis. What did I feel tonight that has started this thinking… but… not the time to try to deal with the philosophy of life, Eddie eventually realized. Time to get back to his sister’s celebration.
After prolonged farewells and good wishes, Kate and Shane were on their way to the beginning of their new life. Eddie looked over to Margie, tears welling and Tony holding her hand. What a wonderful couple he thought, as he had thought so many times before.
Where would I have been without them! Not the time to go down that path, he reminded himself. Time to look ahead. He knew he had changed from the newly ordained priest seven years before – the Aboriginal with all the dreams for his race and the Christian with all the hopes and dreams for the world. No, I haven’t become cynical, he thought! But I have become wiser – perhaps! He smiled to himself as the first line of ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ crossed his mind.
Yes, life will go on. Guide me Lord.
Life for Eddie proceeded for the next year with few major problems and challenges.
And then came the phone call.