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Published: December 26th 2005
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SAYING GOOD-BYE: Bryan and Miranda visit with his sister Barbara.
Before leaving for our new parish we had allowed ourselves several months to visit with all our friends and family. It could be a long time before Miranda and I saw any of them again. Lahore seemed very far away! ENTRY ONE — April 25th 1986 The Maple Leaf
I could not believe that my wife of thirteen months was threatening to leave me! Nor the reason for her possible departure! Miranda and I have been the victims of some strange occurrences. We have also made a rather disturbing discovery. The mystery seems to involve a 19th century cult called the Catholic Apostolic Church. . . She had always stood by me in the past, particularly during those difficult days when I challenged the authorities at seminary. Miranda, a beautiful but determined "
Rochester girl" had made up her mind to marry me soon after we'd met: "Twenty-seven is old enough for a woman to know what she wants in a man!"
The days following our wedding were filled with tedious tasks: the bureaucracy of obtaining visas, purchasing traveler's checks, getting vaccinations, and so forth. Our 'long' good-bye meant Miranda and I were not rushed. We decided to visit all our friends in Quebec and Ontario.
In April, Miranda acquired a base tan and cut her dark brown hair short. The boyish style suited her. She then took it upon herself to save
Foster, Quebec
Bryan and Miranda visit with friends and family in Foster before they head off to Pakistan. some money by trimming my hair and beard. Thankfully, she did an excellent job. A week before we were to leave, I returned to our Lorne Avenue apartment, exhausted. Miranda met me with a lingering kiss, yet I could sense that she was preoccupied. Something was wrong.
"They pre-empted my program!"
I found it amusing that her problem was no more serious than missing a popular television show. However, my amusement turned to consternation when she went on to explain that regular broadcasting had been interrupted by a special news bulletin: "Libya has been attacked by the United States!"
Strolling up Lorne Avenue with the damp smell of April in the air, we discussed our situation at length. It was too late to change our travel plans, as our airfare was non-refundable. We had little money and there were no pastoral positions available for me in Canada. Circumstances dictated that we press on. As we neared the Grand Staircase of
Mount Royal, Miranda stopped at a tiny sidewalk kiosk selling small Quebec and Canadian flags. "Bryan, dear," asked my new bride, pointing to the red maple-leaf emblem, "will you buy me some of these?"
"Sure," was my
Montreal, Canada
Relaxing by the pool with the parents! reply. I was proud of being Canadian. "How many do you want?"
"One thousand."
"One thousand little Canadian flags!" I blustered. Miranda was always full of surprises, but what could she possibly do with all those flags?
"Trust me," she answered coyly.
Meanwhile, the owner of the small souvenir shop was staring at my black shirt and clerical collar. He handed over his entire stock of Canadian flags along with his plastic bin.
As I tried to pay, he shook his head, saying, "Non, non, Mon Pere, sans charge." I felt a little guilty, knowing full well that the French-Canadian shopkeeper thought I was a Roman Catholic priest.
My queries continued to fall upon deaf ears: Miranda was not prepared to tell me what she had in mind for those little flags.
Flags
Arriving in London on April 23, my thrifty bride insisted that we stay at a
youth hostel. There, we met many American travelers concerned about their safety. Large numbers of young people were returning home to the US due to feared Libyan retaliation. Those staying on in Europe almost without fail noticed the Canadian flags Miranda had affixed
St. Joseph's Oratory, Mount Royal, Montreal, Quebec - 1985
Bryan in front of the famous basilica in Montreal where people line up to be healed. to our jackets and luggage. Immediately we were asked if we had any more, for the apprehensive Americans believed Canadians were less at risk.
"No problem," was Miranda's reply as she proceeded to flog her
flags at a dollar apiece. They sold like "hot cakes". One thousand flags at one dollar each would equal one thousand dollars. I was truly impressed.
Early the following morning, we set out for St. Paul's Cathedral. There was an unseasonable chill in the spring air, so we snuggled together as we walked the streets of London.
Nearing Oxford Street, our intended route was blocked by a large crowd. A burly policeman barred the way as we tried to see what was going on. Undeterred, Miranda asked him what was happening.
"The bastards blasted the British Airways office."
"Five dollars," said Miranda.
The price of Miranda's flags had risen to $25 apiece by the time we reached Amsterdam. "It's called American know-how," she quipped, as we got ready for bed. My new bride had numerous talents of which I'd been unaware.
Links: Libya Attacked
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Mike
non-member comment
Americans buying Canadian flags
next time tell those coward americans to spend their money on plane tickets home rather than camoflauge. i love canada but i can´t stand americans who don´t have the guts to be where they are from.