The first set’s almost over and I’m tired. The piano and I are at odds tonight and I don’t have the energy to press the issue, but the patrons don’t seem to notice or care. Isn’t it always the way, I think as I finish the song. I rise from the bench to brief and scattered applause, and return the absent courtesy with a sketch of a bow before stepping down and winding through the tables to the back exit. I need a cigarette….
Out of faith, hope, and love, I would always take hope to be my favourite virtue. I think this realization came to me when I first heard a homily by Fr. Robert Conway, the chaplain of the formerly known Ave Maria College. Sitting in the multi-purpose hall where both Mass and dances could be held, I heard Fr. Conway telling us that by changing water into wine at the wedding of Cana, Jesus wanted all to experience hope. From then on, I equated hope with wine. This hope translated into belief that despite our troubles, we live in the Messianic Era and we have Jesus, Emmanuel….
