Month: September 2018

Travelling Through Time

Today is my Birthday, an annual landmark for our travels though time.  While I don’t want or need much to celebrate the completion of my 62nd year, I find myself very lucky to be surrounded by my family and friends, the best gift of all I think.

I’m reminded of this importance, particularly this weekend, as I’ve just returned from an out of town funeral for the mother of my friend Leighton.  At 93, she led a very full life and based upon the words spoken at her service, she touched the lives of many people, especially, her grand-children.

Seeing his family both mourn her loss but also celebrate her life touched me.  How lucky they all are to have each other and to have friends to share their grief and their memories.  We should all be so lucky.

So, on my birthday, I’m thankful for Susan, my daughters and son-in-law.  I’m happy to have my grandsons nearby now and certainly my mother, father and siblings.   And I’m lucky to have my friends with whom I’ve shared and experienced so much.

I had a call from my mother, my friend Bill, my amiga Katja sent a gift and emailed me.  There was also a wonderful surprise message from Alex.  I don’t hear from him as much as I’d like but whenever I do, it always makes me smile and appreciate his friendship.  Other friends sent cards or wished me well personally.

While I appreciate the actual gifts that I receive, the greatest gift, as I travel though time are the people who are in my life, I often feel that I’m unworthy of them all so, I try very hard to let them know how thankful I am.

Lost in Space

I had a wonderful weekend with my family at my brothers ranch in Bosque County, Texas.  For those who’ve read my blog for a while, this is the same location that we used as our warm up and final training walk last year before we left for our Camino.

I had an email that I picked up after my walk yesterday morning from my first Camino friend, Leo.  He told me that when he first read my response he saw “walking the the Basque Country” instead of “walking in Bosque County”, I had to admire his wishful thinking.  Leo, I too am glad you had your Texas hat on in the Pilgrims Office in SJPP.

Walking the quiet dirt roads before sunrise was incredible, the crunching of the senda beneath my boots was both therapeutic and calming, if you have not experienced this soothing sound, you should.

Lost in Bosque County, Texas

The air was cool but as a native, you could feel the coming heat, it was just there, waiting for the sun to rise to begin building to the normal early September oven and, it did not disappoint.  But until then, it was wonderful.

I only walked 5.8 miles, about 9.5 K as I had to pick my daughter and son-in-law up at the Clifton International Airport (greatly over-exaggerated) and as most things here in Texas, it’s a ways, away.  The upside was no knee pain and I finished wishing I had more time.

My walk reinforced my previous thoughts about living in the Now.  While I was there, I had few future or past thoughts to distract me and my mind was very calm.  But, keeping it real, I did think about the Pit Bull I ran into the day before and, the idea of that meeting, again and in the dark did linger.  I banished the thought by taking a different road, there are plenty to choose from.  Problem solved!

Get out and do something, go for a walk, long or short.  Your body and mind will thank you for it.