On page 145, the author writes of Jean Latour and Joseph Vaillant as " they embrace each other for the past for the future". What does the author mean by this?

Latour and Vaillant are the closest of friends. They have been together for a very long time, and they have successfully established the church in Santa Fe. Aside from their friendship, they are also partners in their leadership of the church. Neither man knows if they will see each other again, thus, their parting is bittersweet.... a parting that remembers the past, and yet, makes way for the furture.