Reverend Bellows looked over and nodded at Sadie. She set her flowers down and picked up her ukulele and started to strum. Her lilting angelic voice echoed throughout the canyon with the beautiful melody she composed to a poem Gabriel had written for Tabitha.
Hearts arrested by the glance of souls through fragile eyes
Hope of what could be the journey for our destiny
Angels are dancing here tonight
Heaven descended for me just in time
Light cascading down
Upon your skin now I am found
Love, can this be true
My heart ablaze for only you
Angels are dancing here tonight
Heaven descended for me just in time
Love, could this be true
My heart ablaze for only you
My heart ablaze for only you
Gabriel didn’t take his eyes off of Tabitha, but he could hear the sniffles from the guests. Reverend Bellows looked back at the couple.
“Who is giving this woman to be married to this man?”
“I am,” Jacob replied tenderly. He stepped forward to kiss Tabitha on the cheek. “I love you, sweetheart. I’m so proud of you,” her dad whispered in her ear.
The minister continued.
“Today is a special day . . . a day of new beginnings. What’s past is gone . . . it’s over, and today you start your new life together. You are giving yourselves to each other in a sacred covenant. This is a mutual submission of the heart. Hold fast to each other. Gabriel, love Tabitha, give your life up for her, even as God in Christ has loved His people and given His life up for us. Tabitha, love Gabriel, and partner with him in every way on this new journey you are on together. May your home be a home marked with every facet of the greatest of all virtues, love. As the Holy Scriptures say, ‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.’ So remember, Gabriel and Tabitha, may love . . . this kind of love, stay at the center of your life together.”
Next to the minister sat a small table with two clay pots filled with water and an empty crystal vase. The minister nodded to Gabriel and Tabitha and motioned to the vessels. Gabriel and Tabitha picked up each pot and poured the water into the crystal vase.
“The waters from these clay vessels represent the life of Gabriel and Tabitha individually. Just as the waters are poured into the clear vase, so too their lives are poured together as one. As the light shines through the crystal and into the water, prisms of color beam out. This is a beautiful symbol of their love for one another creating beauty all around them.”
The couple returned to their place in the center.
“Gabriel, your vows please.”
Gabriel swallowed hard. He couldn’t believe he was standing in front of her. He breathed deeply and looked to the sky to gain his composure. His deep voice quivered as he read his vows.
“Tabitha, in our covenant together, I give you my heart. I will protect you, walk with you, comfort you, serve you, and love you always. Wherever our journey leads us, I promise to stay by your side. There is not a shadow of evil or temptation that will steal the light from the candle I hold for you in my heart. Hand in hand, there is nothing we cannot face. You are my best friend and the fulfillment of dreams that only the depths of my heart knew. I promise to be yours and yours alone.” Gabriel wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
“Tabitha, your vows please.”
Tabitha smiled brilliantly as she spoke.
“Gabriel, in our covenant together, I give you my heart. You are the man of my dreams. You possess a greatness and humility that make me want to be like you . . . It makes me want to follow your lead. I’ll walk with you, comfort you, serve you, and love you always. Wherever The River of life takes us, I’ll be in the raft with you. I will hold nothing back from you. You are my best friend and the man I was made for. I promise to be yours and yours alone.”
“May I have the rings please?”
Jimmy and Sadie passed the rings to the minister.
“These rings are an unending circle . . . a symbol of your undying devotion one to another. Gabriel, repeat after me. ‘With this ring I pledge my unending love for you.’ ”
Gabriel’s quivering hand placed the ring on her finger as he spoke. “With this ring I pledge my unending love for you.”
“Tabitha, repeat after me. ‘With this ring I pledge my unending love for you.’ ”
Tabitha held his hand in hers and placed the silver ring on his finger as she responded, “With this ring I pledge my unending love for you.”
“Ladies and gentlemen, in front of these witnesses and by the power vested in me by the state of Colorado, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Clarke.”
The minister spoke louder over the cheer that erupted. “Gabriel, you may kiss your bride!”
Gabriel cradled her face in his hands and pressed his lips to hers. The onlookers clapped and whistled.
The minister got everyone’s attention.
“Gabriel and Tabitha would like each of you to take a river stone from the water’s edge, and we will all line up together and cast them into the water. Before we do, they’d like you to each say a prayer for their journey. This gesture is to signify their undying devotion to each other and to The River, no matter where the waters take them.”
Everyone lined the shore, the bride and groom in the center, holding the smooth stones.
Amidst everyone shuffling around, Gabriel found himself standing next to Jacob and Billy.
“Great day, huh?” Jacob said as he tossed a rock back and forth between his hands.
Gabriel grinned and Billy nodded.
Jacob continued, “Whenever I do this, I like to look at these rocks as my past mistakes. Once they plunge in The River, they go away. They turn into something else and I never see them again.”
“Not enough rocks in this canyon for me to throw,” Billy said, casting a glance at Gabriel.
“For me either.” Jacob chuckled.
“It’s going to be different for me, Jacob. I suppose I’ve got quite a few days ahead of me. Might as well live ’em.”
Gabriel and Jacob both reached out to sqeeze Billy’s shoulders; then Gabriel turned back to his bride.
The minister called out, “As The River has shaped these stones, may it always shape us! One . . . two . . . three!”
“Woo-hoo! Hear! Hear!”
The sound of the stones crashing in the water reverberated as everyone applauded again.
Back at the lodge, the feast was underway. Flickering torches lined the deck, casting light on the storytellers’ faces. Outbursts of laughter joined the sounds of the water as it rippled along.
Jimmy Bly stood up and clanked his glass with his fork. The conversational roar quieted quickly. Gabriel looked nervous at what his friend might say.
“Hey, everyone. I wanted to offer a toast to the bride and groom. Gabriel, you’re a long way from Kansas, brother. To see you out here, I just know it’s where you are meant to be. It’s Cairo’s loss, though. How you got this girl’s attention, I’ll never know! Maybe it’s ’cause you were with me when you first came to The River!” Everyone howled. “Seriously, you always had a kind word for me, and I’m proud of you. You’re like a little brother to me. Even though you’re bigger and stronger, you are younger. I wish you guys all the happiness in the world. You deserve it. I love ya!”
Glasses clinked musically.
Sadie stood up.
“I guess it’s my turn. I’ll try not to cry.” She looked at Tabitha seated next to her. “I look up to you so much. You are an amazing woman. I couldn’t be happier for you. I love you, and I’m so grateful for the way you have looked after me and taught me. When Mom died, you were my rock. I know she is here w
ith us and celebrating you too. Gabriel, you saved my life!” She turned to the group. “He actually kept me from being eaten by a bear! Even before the wedding, you were like a big brother to me. Thank you for taking care of my sis. You are strong and wise, and if you have a little brother hiding anywhere, I’d like to know, please.”
“Freddie Clarke here!” Freddie chimed up from the back, and Gabriel nearly fell off his chair from laughing.
After they all had their cake, Gabriel excused himself from the table and headed into the lodge. He headed through the kitchen and saw his mom sitting at the dining table flipping through some pictures.
“Hey, Mom. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, sweetheart. I’m just remembering. Look at this one. You were eight and you did not want me taking your picture. You just looked so cute with the dirt on your face. Here’s one at the farmers’ market; remember that day? I thought I almost lost you.”
“Yeah, I still have the marbles from the magic river man.” Gabriel smiled at the memory.
She grabbed his broad shoulders.
“I’m so, so proud of you, Gabe. She’s such a wonderful girl.” She wiped some icing off his scruffy beard. “Don’t forget about me, okay?”
“Mom, I could never forget about you.”
“I know, I know. It’s just so far.”
“I want you to come out here and spend some time with us . . . make some new memories. There are some amazing people out here. I’ll take good care of you. I’ll save up and help you pay for the trips. Life is too short. You could let me take you down The River.”
“Oh really? Okay, we’ll see.” She smiled warmly. “I love you, honey.”
“I love you, Mom.”
Gabriel gave his mom a hug and walked back outside onto the deck with her.
She walked away, and Jacob approached.
“So, I guess you’re my son-in-law now.” The gray curly-headed guide squinted as he looked at Gabriel.
“Yes, sir.”
“Take good care of my Tabby, okay?”
“Most definitely, sir.”
Jacob pulled him in and hugged him tightly.
“I love you, son. You’re home. If you need anything, I’m here.”
“Thank you, Jacob. That means the world.” Gabriel felt a new sense of belonging at Jacob’s words.
“I’ll go get things ready for you guys.” Jacob walked off the deck and over to the gear shed.
Gabriel felt a hand on his back. He turned to see his faithful and wise friend Ezra. Gabriel’s eyes filled with tears at the sight of him.
“So, I guess you married the canyon princess, young man. Not bad. Not bad at all.” His raspy laugh was contagious.
“Thank you, Ezra.”
“For what?”
“For everything.”
“Oh, go on now, you had it all along.”
“I’m serious, Ezra. I don’t know where I’d be if it weren’t for you. You keep me on the right path. You help me think straight.”
“Well, I guess we needed each other. I’m proud of you, son. You are on your way.”
Gabriel leaned down and hugged him. “I love you, Ezra.”
“Alright now. Alright. That’s enough,” Ezra said as he slapped Gabriel’s back.
“It’s all ready!” Gabriel heard Freddie’s shout from the water’s edge.
“I better go.” Gabriel rushed inside the lodge. All the family and friends headed down to the water where Tabitha and Gabriel emerged a few minutes later in full river gear. They climbed into a raft with big white letters stenciled on the bow, G & T C L A R K E. To the sound of cheers, Gabriel and Tabitha kissed, then floated off into the moonlit current.
23
Ezra’s Journey and the Gift
February 9, 1975, 7:25 p.m.
Gabriel blew into his cupped hands to warm them as he crunched along the icy path at twilight. The clear sky and the brilliant moon caused the water to glow in a soft white. Gabriel took long walks along the water during the winter. The River was quieter during these months as portions of it would ice over, and the blue and gray tones of the canyon carried an eerie stillness. To Gabriel, the waters seemed even more mysterious in the winter. An occasional distant hoot of an owl or haunting bay of a wolf would break into the silence. He and Tabitha had been married for a few months now, living in a small cabin on the north side of the lodge. They would soon depart for the North Camp to begin preparations for running that location in the coming rafting season. Wearing his favorite gray scarf knitted by Ms. Vonda and a weathered black peacoat, the once-timid Kansas farm boy, now rugged river man, headed downstream toward his old cabin room that neighbored Ezra’s.
Gabriel ascended the steps to the porch and heard the old man struggling through a violent cough.
“Ezra?” Gabriel opened the screen and leaned in close to the door. “Ezra, are you okay?”
The cough continued.
Gabriel let himself in and quickly grabbed a hand towel by the sink and handed it to the feeble older man as he helped lower him in his wooden rocker. Gabriel went over to the sink, drew a cup of water from the faucet, and handed it to Ezra. The older man seemed significantly weaker since Gabriel had seen him a few days before.
“Jacob will be ready in about thirty minutes or so. Do you need any help with your things?” Gabriel said in a concerned tone.
Ezra’s hand shook as he pointed to a small tweed suitcase on the bed.
“I can’t get that blasted thing zipped. I don’t know why we are doing this. I’ll be fine.”
“Well, we’re all a little worried about you, Ezra, so you are going to get this checked out. We’ll get you some medicine and get you back here to work.”
Ezra didn’t respond. He motioned to a box in the back corner of the room.
“Can you bring that over to me, son?”
Gabriel picked up the square wooden box about the size of a shoebox and handed it to Ezra. It was covered in burlap and tied together with a thin leather strap.
Ezra held it on his lap.
“I’ve been meaning to give this to you. It took me longer than I thought. I wanted to have it ready to give you at the wedding but better late than never. I hope you like it.” Ezra pushed it out on the edge of his knees.
Gabriel looked stunned.
“Wow, thank you. What is it?”
“Open it.”
Gabriel untied the strap and unfolded the burlap material. It revealed a beautifully stained wood box with hinges on the back and a clasp in front. On the top of the box was the symbol, charred into the face of the wood.
“The symbol of Ama-Woya,” Gabriel said as he admired the beauty and craftsmanship.
Ezra nodded once. “Open it up.”
Gabriel raised the lid of the box, revealing another item wrapped in the same burlap cloth. He looked at Ezra as he picked it up.
“Now read the message.” Gabriel noticed the handwritten message on the inside of the box lid. He read aloud.
To my dearest Gabriel and Tabitha,
Please accept the work of my hands as a symbol of how much you mean to me. Remember you are loved and you are never alone. Hold on to each other. Embrace your freedom. Above all, give yourselves away. It’s only in giving yourself away that you find your path. May each sunrise be a new beginning. Burn the records of each other’s faults. Forgive often. Love well. You both will always be in my heart.
Your friend in The River,
Ezra Buchanan
Gabriel felt a lump growing in his throat.
Ezra nudged him. “Go on, unravel it.”
Gabriel removed the shroud, unveiling an extraordinary wood carving of a beautiful Native American woman. Gabriel stared, speechless.
“It’s what I thought she must have looked like.”
Gabriel paused, lost in admiration. “Ezra, I don’t know what to say. This is a masterpiece. The detail, the expression on her face, it’s just breathtaking! I had no idea you could do this.” Gabriel ran his
fingers over the grooves of her hair, and the solitary tear coming out of her deep and mournful eyes. He noticed the broad nose and smooth glow of her cheeks that had been polished into the wood.
“I’m glad you like it,” Ezra said through a peaceful smile. “Ama-Woya is a symbol of freedom. She represents shedding the heavy chains that weigh us all down . . . Yep . . . she ran to her destiny, no matter the cost. Scars came along the way, but they just served to remind her what she’d come from, and how much she had to live for.”
Gabriel ran his fingers down the face of the wooden sculpture.
“It looks just like her . . . I can’t even believe it.” Gabriel shook his head as he studied the work of art.
“Looks just like who?”
Gabriel spoke softly as the memories flooded him. “Back in Kansas in grade school, during one of the darkest times I can remember, a very special woman . . . a teacher . . . came into my life. She was beautiful inside and out. Her love and encouragement got me through. She stood up for me. In fact, she’d lost her father too. Somehow she reached down into my world and pulled me up. This carving is Ama-Woya”—Gabriel pointed at her face emphatically—“but it’s also Lily Collingsworth.”
“Ah. The teacher who painted The River for you, yes?”
“Yes, her Cherokee name was Aykwa-Aykwanee. It means Great River.”
“Hmm.” Ezra pursed his mouth and squinted in concentration. “Guess The River never left you, even in Kansas. Look at you now, son.” Ezra rocked his chair slowly as he blinked hard and looked out the window. A light snow began to fall.
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