As Joe looked back on the past two years, he wondered how he had survived. Would I have survived without the friendship of Julian and Eddie, he often thought. Yet he was always aware that they too had inner battles with which to contend. There had also been times when he had been there for them, as well as the times in which they had been there for him in the painful times.
He also knew he was making a free choice. Since Vatican II he was aware of many priests, including a few in his ordination year, who had sought and received dispensation from their vows. They had gone on to an apparent happy and successful life in the secular world. He was also aware that many had married – in the majority of cases within a Catholic church ceremony. Yet he also knew, some in frustration, some in anger, some in inner pain, had walked away completely from the Church in which they had served for many years.
Why had he remained to serve in a Church, many of whose rules and regulations he seriously questioned! There seemed to be no clear answer. Some inner force was leading him, at times holding him still. The God in Whom he still firmly believed no longer seemed the centre of the official church in which he served. Yet he still felt the call, not only to stay but to stay and confront.
As CYMS chaplain he watched with pride as Tim and his helpers forged ahead with plans for growth of the Club. His years as chaplain, he knew, he would remember with happiness – happiness not only in witnessing its growth, but happiness in the knowledge of the help it had been to its members. There were also so many memories of weddings and Baptisms apart from the many social functions over the years.
And Naomi! In the years since they had found and lost each other, they had had only brief encounters. She was now a school principal – with an excellent reputation he had heard. He had written – rather than phoned – to tell her he would be in Melbourne the following week and to ask for a meeting. He had not referred in any way to the fact that he would be leaving the country in two weeks’ time.
A few months earlier he had heard of the need for chaplains for the forces going overseas to fight in the Vietnam war. A spur of the moment decision, he applied. After a couple of intense interviews, his application was accepted. He had already spent a week home with his parents. He knew they would not be happy with his decision. But, as he also expected, they backed him in his choice. With parents, siblings and his many nieces and nephews, the week was a happy family one. He knew prayers and blessings for him would always flow from his home area.
The week before the three friends had managed to meet. He had already been given permission – and his blessing – from his bishop for time out as an army chaplain. The Club and parishioners had given him a tremendous send-off. The three friends met in Sydney. Eddie, now in Bourke, had been given a week off to spend with his family, while Julian, now back at university, advised he would be ‘on the spot.’
“Meeting you guys always a shot in the arm!” declared Eddie. “But don’t take it literally!”
“Great to see you both,” laughed Julian.
“I needed your support before I took off,” smiled Joe.
“Mate, you know you always have it!” Julian nodded to Eddie’s statement.
They relaxed in each other’s company, knowing nothing said would be repeated, nothing said would cause shock waves.
“You are a surprise packet, Joe. Fancy, Vietnam!”
“Yes, I know Eddie. It was rather a sudden decision, but I’m glad I made it.”
“And Naomi…” Julian began. “How are you?”
“Hard to put things into words,” Joe replied. “I’m no longer desperate – I think! But my love for her hasn’t changed. I’ve written, asking her to meet me next week. We haven’t had time together…” He stopped, then continued, “…in two years. I want to see her before I leave. I need it. And perhaps she does.”
“Yes,” both answered softly.
Eddie related briefly on his recent appointment to Bourke. A bout of coughing overtook him as he spoke.
“You okay?” his friends asked. “Here… water.”
“Fine, thanks. Just a bit of a cough I get now and then. Not much to tell. They gave me a great send-off from Bree.”
“So they should,” both answered.
“Well,” answered Justin to the question of his present life, “a couple of firms have offered me a position, prior to finals in a couple of weeks. One firm in particular is the one everyone dreams of – so I’m lucky.”
“They’ll find out soon enough where the luck stands!”
Time flew all too quickly. Each breathed a prayer and a wish for the others as passersby witnessed the usual ‘bear hug.’ Simon was not forgotten.
“We’ll meet on your first leave,” Julian stated.
“Even if I have to ‘hitch’ all the way!” added Eddie.
As they walked away each whispered a prayer for their friends and the new lives into which each was walking.