Even with the best spin, 2020 has been an exceptionally bad year and sadly, it appears that 2021 will get off to a difficult start as well.
The world, challenged by the novel Corona Virus-19 has faced death, illness, separation, depression, and economic pressures amongst other things. Amidst all of this, it is sometimes easy to forget that the “normal” challenges of life go on.
For many, the nutritional challenges that they live with have been compounded. The economic impact worldwide has hit some segments of the economy much harder than others, many of whom are always working on thin margins.
Small businesses, restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels have disappeared, many permanently taking the people and families who ran them down with them. For those of us who are veterans of the many Caminos, the albergues, bars and farmacias that we and future Pilgrims depend upon may never recover. The Camino is a symbiotic environment, when on partner suffers, the other does as well.
Over the past 10 months, many of us have suffered loses not directly related to the virus but certainly impacted by it as loved ones became sick with non-COVID-19 related illnesses which required them to be treated in an environment of isolation and heightened fear. Some recovered, others did not. Many families never got to mourn or celebrate these lives lost because of restrictions on gatherings and physical distancing.
And, not to forget, the front-line workers. Doctors, nurses, medical assistants, and those who make our medical facilities work are taxed beyond any capacity which can be sustained.
Yes, 2020 has been one Hell of a year.
I was listening to some of my music recently when I came across a song performed by Brittany Howard, formerly of Alabama Shakes called You’ll Never Walk Alone. This song has been around for a long time, written by Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rogers and performed originally by Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1963.
The song is about perseverance both individually and collectively. As I listened to it, it immediately struck a chord with my inner Pilgrim. Climbing over the Pyrenees from St. Jean and down the steep valley to Roncesvalles. Over the Alto del Perdon. Across the Meseta on sore knees. Up into Villafranca del Bierzo when the thermometer at the Farmicia said 40 (104 F). Up to O’C and finally, across Galicia to Santiago.
All done by personal perseverance, support and help of all sorts, both received and given along the way. All of us who have walked the Way know this. For those who have not yet made that journey, you’ll know it too, soon.
So here we are in a world wracked by the COVID virus and it’s taking a mighty toll in many ways. Death, fear, isolation, anxiety, anger, sadness, depression and many other sad and freighting emotions. After all this time, it’s easy to feel sorry for ourselves.
Some may ask; why is God doing this? Why is this happening? When will it ever end? Gods not doing this. It’s not a conspiracy. It’s certainly not a hoax. It’s a virus.
We, as people, humans who occupy this planet we call Earth are not under some alien attack. We’re facing a pandemic. Not the first and not the last. We’ve been challenged before by wars, plagues and economic disasters and we got through them and we’ll get through this challenge too.
Our challenge is whether we get through it together or not. Do we do our part and maybe, more than our part or do we refuse, deny, point fingers and fear the unknown. Like the Camino, as I mentioned before, our world is a symbiotic place too. We flourish together or we suffer and possibly, perish together.
So, my friends, as we enter what will be a long and hard winter, take the hand (metaphorically) of a friend or stranger in need. Reach out and let someone know that you’re there and they’ll be okay. Tell someone that you love them. As difficult as it may be, resist the temptation to condemn those who may not believe in science or facts as the energy wasted in that effort, to me, can be spent more wisely elsewhere.
For all Pilgrims, whether you’ve walked the Camino de Santiago or not, the Pilgrim spirit lives within you. Be strong. If you’re a believer, stay faithful. If like me you’re a spiritual being, trust in the goodness of those who share this world with us. In these difficult times, be kind and thoughtful. Most of all, be tolerant and hopeful. Know that this bleak period will surely pass.
So, back to the song, I encourage you to listen to it, regardless of the artist performing it and I’ll leave you with this:
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark…
…Walk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone