The thirtieth came rolling in within the next few days. I put on my best suit and met with Kyle in the town hall.

The man was middle aged, with light brown hair, and clear blue eyes. To be honest, I didn't know what to say to him. My nerves were getting the better of me and I knew it.

"So... Landon Carter, what makes you interested in priesthood?"

"I just..." I began, on pins and needles as I continued, "I feel this is the path God wants me to take."

"Usually we don't train someone as young as you," Kyle told me, shaking his head weakly, "Maybe come back when you're twenty-one and have some years behind you."

I stood there frozen, looking at the man who was either the gateway to my vocation, or the grim reaper who would close the case on me forever.

"Sir, Kyle." I said to him, my voice weak in tone from helplessness.

"I may not be the best candidate, but this is my life now. God is my life. I just, I know... that this is true, and that he wants me to preach. Please, just give me a chance."

Kyle smirked a little, looking into my eyes and responding.

"So this isn't just a flight of fancy?"

"No."

"And you really believe this to be your calling."

"Y-yes..."

"Yes or no?" He replied harshly.

"Yes!"

"Hmm," Kyle hummed under his breath. He looked at me, and broke into a small smile, "We could use some new blood in our preachers."

I was stiff in my anticipation, and the middle age man just said to me, reaching his firm hand forward and shaking mine.

"Welcome to seminary."

My mouth dropped open, and I suddenly burst into tears of hope.

As he let go of my hand, I flung towards him, giving him a big hug, and Kyle only murmured annoyed from my thankful hug.

I let go of him and laughed nervously.

"So, when do I start?"

"First week of the new year."

"First... week?"

He nodded his head stiffly and I wiped the tears from my eyes as I smiled, "I'll be there with bells on."

"Just be there on time. I'll be sending out a letter about your starting day."

I smiled widely, not able to keep in my happiness. I shook his hand again as I left, the handshake being bouncy and alive with energy.

When I got outside to my car, I fell my head into my hands, and only cried as loud as I could.

I felt overjoyed, but also so sad. My sorrow was so heavy upon me, my old life closing on me, and my new path awaiting.

~x~

As I walked the sandy beach like always late that day, I made splashes in the water as I walked in the foamy tide.

It was getting dark that winter's day. The clouds were dispersed far and wide in the grey sky. I wish I could have laid on one and dream kind dreams.

When I turned around at the edge of the beach to head back the direction I had come, I saw two sets of footprints in the sand from where I had been walking.

I looked around, to see who the other one belonged to, but saw not a soul in my view.

"Landon!"

I glanced my eyes this way and that and noticed a man walking on the water.

It was the dark man who had had that hole in his hand. He was wearing white robes and as he approached me, he gave a warm smile, saying softly.

"It's nearly time, now..."

"Who are you?" I asked him, and he grabbed hold of my hand with his two, replying.

"Who do you think I am?"

"Jesus," I said. He shrugged and pat me on the back, having let go of my hand.

"The year is coming to a close." He told me, and began to walk the way I was going, "And you survived it... are you happy?"

I looked at him silently, walking on the side of him, away from the tides. As I looked into his warm brown eyes, I shook my head and cried.
"No... I'm not, I'm, I'm alone..."

"Sometimes the hardest things we learn, come from being alone,"

I huffed a laugh and smiled at him, replying, "Then I've learnt more than my life's share."

"Landon," He said, and I nodded at him, "What do you want, right now?"

"I want to wake up from this fantasy, and see my friends and family. Dad, mum, Jamie... heck, even Hegbert."

The man only smiled. He turned back to the ocean and began walking on water again. I blinked my eyes, and upon opening them, I saw I was alone on the beach. By myself.

I looked at the ocean and its heavy waves. I sighed, putting my hands in my pocket and walked the sandy shore.

~x~

Time was a precious thing. The only thing we couldn't control.

It was new year's eve and I sat on the porch of Sullivan's house, looking up at the sky full of stars.

I peered at them, the cosmos, the galaxies. All above us, in a universe that was never-ending.

But this year was.

As I sat down against the old rickety wooden rocking chair, I gazed into the infinity of space.

I leant on the chair, rocking it back and forth with my legs.

When the time hit a minute to 12, I could hear the countdown on the radio inside.

10 – 9 – 8 – 7

I opened a beer bottle and took a swig.

6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 -

"One," I said, and placed the beer's opening to my mouth.

The minute I did that, fireworks blasted into the sky and left millions of flaming lights all over what was previously a black night.

I watched the many colours of the explosive lights. Some almost made pictures. I swear I saw a firework exploding into a cross. Maybe it was coincidence... or maybe not.

I stared ahead at the spectacular free show. I closed my eyes weakly and rocked on the chair, hearing the banging and exploding far away in the sky.

When the last firework blew up, I swore I heard a phone call. I got up, tired, and headed inside, to where the phone really was ringing.

I picked it up and said into it.

"Hello,"

"Happy New Year." My mum said on the other side. I grinned just the littlest and replied.

"Happy New Year, to you and dad both."

"Please be happy, Landon..." My mother said, her voice wobbly, "Whatever you choose to do next."

"What I choose..." I said, with a small sad chuckle, "Is to live, to grow old, and to trust in God's plan."

"Maybe, I'll be able to, one day too."

I giggled a little and said.

"I love you, mum... thank you for everything."

She said, sobbing, "No, thank you, Landon. Thank you to the very ends of my heart."

I was getting emotional too, and uttered, "Goodbye", hanging up on her.

I went inside and got myself a blanket. I sat on the rocking chair at the porch, and pulled the heavy blanket over me, to keep warm.

I soon fell into a slumber... and dreamt of things that would never come to pass.

I dreamt I had a family. Two girls and a boy. I dreamt that I raised them well and that they grew up into strong caring individuals.

What more, I dreamt that the woman I had loved, was with me through this whole time. When the last child left us in my dream, the woman I loved placed me down on my bed and whispered in my ear.

"Landon... wake up."

I stumbled awake in surprise. I was outside still, and the rain had suddenly erupted into a heavy shower all across the town.

I quickly got up, dragging in the soaked blanket into the hall.

I looked at the stormy weather outside and watched with amazed eyes at the wind howling and thunder bellowing across the sky.

I smiled and came inside.

Today was the first of January, and winter truly had come roaring in.

Within days I started up the seminary with other men. Some old, some young and some in the middle.

All I knew as I kept coming to this place, was that... it was where I belonged.

It was like... home.

These men were passionate about their faith, and they even managed to give me some of their exuberance for God.

As the weeks went on, and the training began, I found myself learning things about the bible I had never even known about.

It was an astonishing epiphany, I had over many weeks of studying and revising the text.

And a line that I soon held deep in my heart, the Lord is my Shepard, there is nothing I shall want.

And soon, I didn't want any more. Soon, I had.

~x~

2003

~x~

I saw many things in my life... and going on to my mid-sixties, I never took anything for granted.

I never spoke to many more people about what I had seen, most of them weary and cautious about my claims. But if an ear chose to listen, I was really to talk.

It was our wedding anniversary, and I stood before my mirror, fixing up my white collar that showed I was part of the priesthood.

As I patted my clothes down to make sure there wasn't any dust or loose hair on it, I turned and left home, heading out towards the church where I was serving.

Coming into the large old but beautiful building, I walked up to the altar and looked at the crowds of people that had come. To hear the word of God, spoken through me.

The reading today was the book of psalms, and the line I saw that made me become still in my reading.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with

me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I looked up at the crowd of lay people and placed my hand down on the page.

I said to them.

"So, we often lead a life with overwhelming fear or no fear at all. We rely on God to be there for us, whether in rain or shine, good times and bad. But it is often when it comes to giving to others, that we come closer to the Lord."

I took a content sigh out.

"Not one of us know what's in store, what's ahead of us. We can only hope. And in hoping we have the most beautiful thing of all. The ability to live life, knowing that the good times and bad will eventually pass. As Jesus once said, 'The world and heavens will pass away, but my words will never pass away' And in knowing that, knowing that the word of God remains true forever, let us pray."

The people closed there eyes, placing their hands together. We said the Our Father and when the mass was coming to a close I said with love.

"May the Lord be with you."

"And also with you."

"You may now," I added, "Go in peace."

"Thanks be to God."

I watched as the crowd went to the open doors, heading out to the world.

I smiled softly and looked up at the stations of the cross on the walls.

I knelt on my knees and only whispered, "Amen..."

I closed my eyes and held my hands together, whispering, "Thank you... for everything, for this life"

"Amen..."

I got up to leave and as I approached the door, I heard a girl's voice say.

"No. Thank you..."

I smiled gently and left the church.

And continued on life... for the good, the bad... it was the only life I had.

Following the footprints in the sand... till the day came when I would no longer walk alone.

I would walk... with her.

The End.