by Jim Sano
Tom continued, “David and Kathleen, have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourselves to each other in marriage?”
David and Kathleen both nodded. “We do.”
“Will you love and honor each other as husband and wife for the rest of your lives?”
Continuing to gaze at each other, they replied, “We will.”
“Since it is your intention to renew this marriage vow, please join your right hands and declare your consent before God and the Church. David, do you take Kathleen to be your wife?”
David looked deeply into Kathleen’s blue eyes with more appreciation for her than he had ever felt before and loudly proclaimed, “I do!”
“Do you promise to be true to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and honor her all the days of your life?”
David said even louder, “I really do.” There was some laughter from those watching intently.
After Kathleen had also said “I do” to the vows, Tom said, “You have declared your consent before the Church, and this community. May God, in his goodness, strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. David, you may now kiss your bride.”
David put his arms around Kathleen and kissed her deeply with the true love and commitment he now had. Tom turned David and Kathleen towards the gathering. “May I present to you, David and Kathleen Kelly. What God has joined; may no man separate. Congratulations!”
Everyone came up to congratulate David and Kathleen, as well as Amy and James. David would miss his dad in ways he didn’t even comprehend yet, but he felt so blessed to have had this time with him. It taught him an invaluable lesson to attend to his relationships with self-forgetting love for the other. But, at this moment, he didn’t feel the loss, only the gratitude for having a second chance at life, his marriage, his children, and his relationship with God and with his father. David was living in the moment as his arm was around Kathleen, and he glanced at Tom with a thankful smile for the friendship he had given.
Acknowledgments
Writing a deeply engaging, thought-provoking, funny, and personally moving story has always been a dream of mine, but it was clear that journey from an idea to a published book would take the help and encouragement of a lot of people in my life. Special thanks need to go to my wife, Joanne, for her patient, loving, and thoughtful support, feedback and editing. Thanks also to Michelle Buchman for not only providing her incredibly valuable editing services but also for being such an encouraging mentor. I would also like to thank my publishers at Full Quiver Publishing, Ellen and James Hrkach, for their guidance, support, and expertise to make this dream a reality.
Many thanks to those beta readers who provided insightful, rich, and honest feedback to improve the quality of writing and the story itself, Florence Henderson, Richard Henderson, Jerry Sano, John Sano, Eileen Perrelli, Elaine Morisi, Cassie Sano, John O’Connell, Emily Sano, Father John Culloty, Cathy Knipper, Ron Bolster, and Michael Lavigne.
I also want to acknowledge the many teachers that make themselves available for others and provided wisdom and insights woven into this story of one man’s journey from brokenness to wholeness. Thank you, Bishop Robert Barron, Fr. John Riccardo, Scott Hahn, Peter Kreeft, Alex Jones, Stephen Ray, Frank Sheed, Trent Horn, Viktor Frankl, Ken Hensley, Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, Rosalind Moss, Jim Blackburn, Jeff Cavins, David Franks, Greg Kolodziejczak, G.K. Chesterton, David Burns, Jason Evert, Jean Vanier, and Pope John Paul II.
Finally, I found writing this novel to be a profound and enjoyable experience. The greatest reason was experiencing a strong presence of the Holy Spirit, guiding the story, characters, and lessons of love, friendship, forgiveness, and redemption—all making the teachings and life of Jesus real and tangible to each of our lives today.
About the Author
Jim Sano grew up in an Irish/Italian family in Massachusetts. Jim is a husband, father, lifelong Catholic and has worked as a teacher, consultant, and businessman. He has degrees from Boston College and Bentley University and is currently attending Franciscan University for a master’s degree in Catechetics and Evangelization. He has also attended certificate programs as The Theological Institute for the New Evangelization at St. John’s Seminary and the Apologetics Academy. Jim is a member of the Catholic Writers Guild and has enjoyed growing in his faith and now sharing it through writing novels. The Father’s Son is his first novel.
Jim resides in Medfield, Massachusetts with his wife, Joanne, and has two daughters, Emily and Megan.
Published by Full Quiver Publishing
PO Box 244
Pakenham, ON K0A2X0
Canada
www.fullquiverpublishing.com
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