<USS Avalon> Avalon Log 041005A--Nuptuals

***a little note.  Daniel's benediction comes from a poem by James  Dillet 
Freeman. the poet laureate of the Unity School of Christianity at Unity  
Village.  Yeah, I found it in the Signals catalog ::grin::
 
    Daniel stood in front of Vilya and Ming, his face  solemn but his eyes 
bright with joy.
    "Though you may see the sacred power of the  universe in different ways, 
you both have faith that the power is there.   Whether it is the guidance of 
the Prophets of Bajor or the words of the Good  Book, there is a firm 
foundation for you to build on."
    He reached to take the young couple's hands between  his own.
    "I ask you both the same things: will you each  love, honor, and cherish 
the other?"
    "We will."
    "Will you keep that faith in each other through  wealth and poverty, 
through good times and bad, and whether there is sickness or  health?"
    Daniel could see Kira dabbing at her eyes as Ming  and Vilya answered in 
unison.  "We will."
    "Will you forsake all others for as long as you  both live?"
    "We will."
    Daniel took a small box from his pocket and held it  open to them.  As 
Vilya and Ming each slid a ring onto each other's fourth  finger on the left 
hand, he said, "These are an old Human tradition, an outward  symbol of what 
you 
will know inside: that the circle of life continues.   Now, know this, Patrick 
and Vilya.  Wherever you are, God is.  The  presence of God watches over you. 
 The power of God protects you.  The  love of God enfolds you and the light 
of God surrounds you.  God is here  now and it is God who gives me the power to 
pronounce that you are now husband  and wife. Bless you both.  You can kiss 
the bride."
    Vilya didn't think mere words would change how she  would feel or that 
they would make a kiss taste so much sweeter but they  did.  After Ming 
released 
her, Daniel kissed each of them on the  forehead.
    "God bless you both and welcome to our family,  little sister," he said 
simply.
    From the viewer, Kira, still sniffling, said, "Oh,  congratulations to 
you both!  I know the Prophets will watch over  you."

Other related posts: