Before Covid when George, Vivian and Antonnio were still alive we’d have these wonderful reunions, lighting up when we saw each other, shaking hands and sharing embraces, our smiles so wide there was no room for face.
George and I with our lady friends would begin the weekend with Friday night at the speaker meeting for AA. Antonnio would connect with us then. Along with hundreds of others dozens of whom we called our close friends. Vivian might be there or we’d connect with her on Saturday. Being a priest she had so many duties with her church Easter Weekend it was a trial for her to slip out. Saturday meetings at the Round up and the dance that night, often after a dozen or so dined together was, always special. I remember all these incredible story tellers from the round up, Dr. Bob’s son, and the nun whose vodka bottles clinked when she walked, the lawyer for the Hell’s Angels, all these wonderfully funny inspirational folk who brought us together in the evening.
Sunday morning though George and I would meet at Christ Church Cathedral early to get in ,as with each passing year the overflow increased. George, a jazz pianist and physician, would ,like me enjoy the incredible choir and organ at Christ Church. Easter was the time the Brass was added with horns and trumpets. We’d burst with song and Hallelujah. Christ is Risen. We’d love Peter’s sermons and talk of them later over brunch. Often we’d be able to make the spiritual speaker at the Round up after church if we slipped out after sharing communion.
We’d say hello to Antonnio, Barb, Andrea, Stephen , Vivian, Jackie. Archie and Bill were always about. So many people bursting with joy and celebration, clear eyes, where to stones had once been. Scotty and Michelle, when Scotty was alive and still bursting with wisdom. I loved connecting with Lorne from the country, and others who came in often fo the annual gathering. We’d lunch with Kevin and Anna before all their kids came along. I loved most when the AA roundup was held at the Hyatt with it’s chandeliered ball room the weekend before EAster. Then we’d be able to take in both celebrations before it grew so big it moved to the convention centre.
Then Covid leaked and the lockdowns followed. . I ‘m still isolating a bit. Each month I’m doing more , coming out more, socializing but still rather content to be alone . I’ve sailed solo so many years that I’m rather content with my hermit friend Laura and the crazy dog. Our work is very intense and social so weekends I like to be alone in nature though as spiritual meetings works as well as the forest to still the soul. I have a friend in Jesus. I sing Hallelujah. I pray and meditate. I’m not going to St. Mark’s with John and studying Christian spirituality at Regent College anymore, so many evenings so many years, of meetings and classes after work. We all so loved the Christian dinners together when John was alive and James Houston’s wife was a live and Helen was back from her missionary work in the Sudan.
As a child with my mom and dad and brother and often with my Aunt Sally visiting we’d go as a family to church, the ladies wearing white gloves and Easter hats. I’d go on to be an intellectual, doctor, and study multiple religions, always striving to know God and self, the two entwined. I was awarded a masters in Christian theology and comparative religions to go with the many other pieces of paper on the wall beside the MD , Psychiatry and Addiction medicine degrees. Each year at this time I’d be as I am today surprised at the time. We’re here again. We are blessed to be alive another year. Another year to contemplate the sacrifice of Jesus ,the deepest meaning of his parables and the beatitudes.
This year I’ve bought a new motorcycle while Jesus was dying on the cross. It’s wind therapy and moving meditation. Jesus Christ is an experience not an idea. I don’t care to argue any more with aetheist prosyletizers or others who would contain God. I loved Phillips book « your God is too small » .
Willie, the Christian psychiatrist would say that Jesus said ‘do not be afraid’ more than once. He encouraged reading the Bible daily and every time I do I learn more from the living word. Phillip another Christian psychiatrist would say Christ is the celebration of life. Jesus also said ‘where two or more are gathered together , there too am I’. He also came as a stranger. Tom and I sailing or driving the back woulds in the truck would contemplate the song ‘were you there when they crucified my lord’. « I was probably holding the spear’, Tom would say. I recently watched the performance on uTube of the Thief by Third Day . I took Laura to hear them when they played in Langley. It was truly a miraculous communion for all there . The night air when we left was somehow more alive.
Easter is a time of reflection, celebration and thanksgiving. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Christ. Thank you Holy Spirit. Thank you God.
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