Three years ago today, I left Dallas for a 45 day journey which would change me in ways I could never have anticipated and I am grateful to everyone who made it possible for me to take that voyage of discovery.
I could not have done it without Susan’s buy in and if not understanding why it was important to me, she at least knew that it was important to me.
As a working American, taking 45 days off is unheard of. I know my European friends think that we’re crazy and, we probably are but, Bob Reynolds allowed me to take this sort of sabbatical and I thank him for that.
My friends, some of whom joined me on my walk across Spain made my trip if not possible, certainly more pleasurable, they contributed to my spiritual journey and it’s much easier training for the Camino with friends who picked me up when I was down, I hope I did the same for them. Thank you Leighton, Renee, Ann, Rick, Paul and Becky.
I don’t think that most people ever think about all the moving parts there are for a journey like the Camino de Santiago. We started planning our trip in 2015 and began organized training walks in September of 2016. Looking back on it, my Camino started then.
When I arrived in Lisbon on May 17th and then Bordeaux the next day, it still all seemed so unreal. The minute I stepped off the train in Saint Jean Pied de Port with dozens of other Pilgrims, it got very real, very fast. The first steps of my Camino were the walk in the rain from the station to my first albergue, the Auberge du Pelerin.
I’m grateful for all of the people that I met, Leo, Brian, Chris and Steve, Donna, Madison, Sarah and Greg, Dawn and Nallie, Bernie and Nigel, Alex, the Canadians, Carol and Letena, the two French brothers that I can’t remember their names. I’m particularly grateful to my friend and spiritual guide, Katja. There are many, many others. Thanks to them all.
What brought all this on was an article that I read online out of The Columbian a newspaper in Washington State. The story is about an 80 year old woman who planned to walk the Portuguese route of the Camino de Santiago and was in Portugal as that country and Spain began to shut down in March, the whole story is linked via the newspaper name.
What struck me was her belief in an “attitude of gratitude”. She states, “Gratitude makes the world different” she said. “I know I have become kinder and more helpful. I’m not getting impatient the way I was.”
In this time of confusion, confinement, and fear, maybe we should all embrace the “attitude of gratitude.”
I’m grateful for what I have and will deal with what comes my way and I hope to do it with a smile on my face and love in my heart. Thank you to everyone who helped me along this continuing journey.
Remember, be kind every day.