The day of the wedding dawned. Sinead had been wisked away the night before to Tom and Meg’s home. Tom and Meg were to be the only attendants, although the invitees were many. These included both Joe’s and Eddie’s parents. Simon’s parents had also been invited but Mary, now a convalescent, and Gary had sent wishes but had had to decline.
As Sinead followed Meg down the aisle to Pachelbel’s Canon in D, flashes of her past became real, with her grandfather’s, “Good lass,” and her grandmother’s, “Bless you, darlin’.”
The liturgy that followed was one of trust and loving commitment. Both Joe and Eddie had celebrated many marriages, but for this one they were not only celebrants but lifelong friends. With love and trust, Julian and Sinead exchanged the vows they had prepared.
After the ceremony, the reception in the grounds of Sean’s and Anne’s home provided the right atmosphere for all to mingle and enjoy the lavish food. A string ensemble provided music – from classical to jazz.
The Martin grandchildren led any new-found friends into their secret haunts in the garden.
The atmosphere oozed joy. Without making it obvious, Margie kept an eye on her son. Eddie appeared to have a new lease on life as he mingled with the guests, played a game with the children and joined in the celebrations.
The sun had long gone and myriads of stars twinkled against the black backdrop when Eddie’s resilience began to fade. “Will have to sit down,” he whispered to Joe. Together they walked toward a garden seat close by. Soon they were joined by Julian.
“How is it, mate?” he asked quietly.
“Starting to slow down,” Eddie smiled back.
“Si and I will never be able to thank you both enough for the ceremony you gave us today – something we will never forget.”
“It was a day we will never forget too. Such a privilege to be part of it.”
“How are you ‘travelling’?” Julian looked toward his friend again.
“Wearing out a bit now,” Eddie responded. “But it has been a wonderful day. And, thank God, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Seconds later he added, “Julian, I won’t be at the airport tomorrow. But you know I’ll be thinking of you and wishing you both ‘God speed.’”
“Of course,” Julian answered softly.
Julian looked toward Joe. “You’ll stay a bit longer?”
“No, mate. I’m driving and I think Mum and Dad are ready to leave. But I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Great!” Julian replied. “Got an extra day or two?”
“Yes, I was lucky. Do you remember Ray Finn – he was a couple of years behind us?”
Both nodded as they visualized a tall, thin guy with blonde hair and a ready smile.
“Ray has filled in for me this weekend,” Joe continued. “And he’s quite happy to remain until the end of the week. He’s in line for a parish of his own. At present he’s in a parish of three priests and the ‘big boss’ is one of the very few remaining who see themselves as completely running the show as they hire and fire, and parishioners are considered as well ‘down the ladder.’”
“Still one or two servant of the servants around!” he added with a grin. Then continued, “So I will be at the airport tomorrow.”
Eddie rose. “Okay, time for the scrum! Bless you both for your invaluable friendship and help through the years, for the ups and downs of our lives that we shared. And now,” he added as his arms slowly found the shoulders of his friends, “our prayerful scrum.” In the silence of their “prayerful scrum”, each knew that this would be the last scrum the three of them would share.