Still Longing to Return

[Penny Kingma]

All day yesterday the urge to book a flight for a May 2020 return was so strong.
Strangely at 2pm a memory popped up on Facebook. It turned out that Jan 8th was the day I booked my flight to Paris for my Camino 4 years ago.
As you all know I dislocated my hips waterskiing a week after returning home from my Camino in July 2016. Since I’ve had both hips and both knees replaced in 4 surgeries in less than 13 months. My last replacement will be a year old on March 7th.
I walked my first Camino a year after being diagnosed with a Multiple Sclerosis. Now 4 years later that diagnosis is in question. I’ve since been diagnosed with Lyme disease and 3 co Lyme diseases. The worst of those Babasia a malaria type infection.
All of these things are causing great pain and physical limitations. Recently being diagnosed with Lyme arthritis worse in my spine but causing havoc all through my joints.
Still with all this the pull to return this May is so strong and hard to explain.
I’m still trying to work on my husbands fears of me going. He can’t come due to work. The first I did on my own....and I truly have no fears or reservations on doing it alone again.
Part of me feels it’s a now or never thing

 

[Dave C.]

Best of luck with your decision. Keep us posted.
All the best!!

 

[SYates]

...
Still with all this the pull to return this May is so strong and hard to explain.
I’m still trying to work on my husbands fears of me going. He can’t come due to work. The first I did on my own....and I truly have no fears or reservations on doing it alone again.
Part of me feels it’s a now or never thing ❤

I think you have already given yourself the answer ;-) Buen Camino!
SY

 

[lovingkindness]

Bon courage et bon chemin, Penny. One step at a time...

 

[Peterk]

Inspirational... and I was wondering if I should book flights because of a bit of a sore knee! See you along the Way, if you walk or not.

 

[J Willhaus]

Penny,
We are not going until winter this year because Phil is pending a shoulder replacement. Maybe chose a shorter or a different segment and allow plenty of time for your body to participate? I look forward to your posts along the way.
Janet

 

[Ekelund]

You are an inspiration. Let us know what you decide to do.

 

[nycwalking]

Penny,

Looking forward to your; “Live on Camino” blog.

Salud.

Buen camino

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hi Penny ,
When you make the final decission to go , take good care of your self.

 

[Priscilla NC]

I've followed your story, and you are indeed inspirational. I hope you can find a way to fulfill this dream. I'll be pulling for you! Do keep us updated.

Blessings!

 

[Penny Kingma]

Still haven’t convinced my husband yet.
I’ve decided to continue walking with my Camino sticks and continue to regain strength. Hopefully by showing him my ability and continued determination he’ll accept and agree.
Yesterday I purchased new merino wool underthings, two merino long sleeved shirts and two sun protection long sleeved cotton shirts. These to replace what I wore on my last Camino. My Camino pants from last time will work again. Also a wide brimmed sun hat I wished I had last time.
So when he says Honey .....Do It ....I’ll be ready.
Thankyou for all of the kind words.
I’ll keep you posted.

 

[Liana]

Still haven’t convinced my husband yet.
I’ve decided to continue walking with my Camino sticks and continue to regain strength. Hopefully by showing him my ability and continued determination he’ll accept and agree.
Yesterday I purchased new merino wool underthings, two merino long sleeved shirts and two sun protection long sleeved cotton shirts. These to replace what I wore on my last Camino. My Camino pants from last time will work again. Also a wide brimmed sun hat I wished I had last time.
So when he says Honey .....Do It ....I’ll be ready.
Thankyou for all of the kind words.
I’ll keep you posted. ❤

I am praying for you to make the right choice. I sympathize with your ailments and longing to return to the camino. Can't say I've had your injuries, but.......had a brain tumor as a teen, hit by a car 12 yrs ago and in a wheelchair for 5 months, fractured my hip on 2nd camino and just finished by 3rd last year. If God is allowing me to walk another camino I will. I am walking my 4th in June (CP) and you are very welcome to join me, I now walk at a slower pace and less mileage, I've got 2 1/2 weeks to walk from Porto to Santiago and not afraid to bus/ride if my body is telling me to! Blessings and Bom Caminho my friend!

 

[Jim]

Penny.
Loved reading your story. I had also been diagnosed with maladies, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia in my case. I will be embarking on my 9th camino adventure in late April.

 

[Jim]

Penny-- message got away from me. God bless your efforts and please post about any plans and progress you have made.

 

[Phil W]

Hi Penny,
Ever since we met on the Camino in 2016 you have been an inspiration. I suspect that you will be able to convince your husband that you can and will return for another Camino. Keep us all posted as you continue to train and definitely when you walk another Camino.
Phil

 

[Penny Kingma]

Hi Penny,
Ever since we met on the Camino in 2016 you have been an inspiration. I suspect that you will be able to convince your husband that you can and will return for another Camino. Keep us all posted as you continue to train and definitely when you walk another Camino.
Phil

I have very fond memories of meeting you both in 2016 .
Buen Camino

 

[Penny Kingma]

6.7 kms in the pouring rain in 4C weather today.
Wearing my Camino Canadian hat, keen sandals and utilizing my Camino walking sticks. Determined to prove my ability and motivation for my return to my worried hubby.

 

[SYates]

You go woman! Keep up the training and see you soon in Santiago!
BC SY

 

[Penny Kingma]

You go woman! Keep up the training and see you soon in Santiago!
BC SY

I purchased your book before my first Camino

 

[domigee]

You go woman! Keep up the training and see you soon in Santiago!
BC SY

I second that! Go for it!
As you know, it isn’t a wilderness hike. Should you need help, you will get it In Spain.
Besides, we only have one life in this world

 

[Penny Kingma]

Hello everyone,
Well yesterday I sent out a message to my husband and children.
Friday May 22 2020 I plan to fly to Paris
May 23 2020 travel by train to St Jean du Port
May 25 2020 start my Camino
July 9 hoping my husband will fly in to meet me in Santiago to celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary.
I hope and pray to see you all then.
Buen Camino

 

[SYates]

Well done! Buen Camino and say hello when you are in Santiago!
SY

 

[Former member 49149]

Hello everyone,
Well yesterday I sent out a message to my husband and children.
Friday May 22 2020 I plan to fly to Paris
May 23 2020 travel by train to St Jean du Port
May 25 2020 start my Camino
July 9 hoping my husband will fly in to meet me in Santiago to celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. ❤
I hope and pray to see you all then.
Buen Camino ❤

Penny, you have just added yourself to my list of names for the flames of my morning candle time...

 

[Liana]

Praying for your health and safety Penny, but I know that God will be with you! Ultreia

 

[J Willhaus]

Good news! We'll look forward to hearing of your adventures.

 

[Zoran K.]

All day yesterday the urge to book a flight for a May 2020 return was so strong.
Strangely at 2pm a memory popped up on Facebook. It turned out that Jan 8th was the day I booked my flight to Paris for my Camino 4 years ago.
As you all know I dislocated my hips waterskiing a week after returning home from my Camino in July 2016. Since I’ve had both hips and both knees replaced in 4 surgeries in less than 13 months. My last replacement will be a year old on March 7th.
I walked my first Camino a year after being diagnosed with a Multiple Sclerosis. Now 4 years later that diagnosis is in question. I’ve since been diagnosed with Lyme disease and 3 co Lyme diseases. The worst of those Babasia a malaria type infection.
All of these things are causing great pain and physical limitations. Recently being diagnosed with Lyme arthritis worse in my spine but causing havoc all through my joints.
Still with all this the pull to return this May is so strong and hard to explain.
I’m still trying to work on my husbands fears of me going. He can’t come due to work. The first I did on my own....and I truly have no fears or reservations on doing it alone again.
Part of me feels it’s a now or never thing ❤

YOU ARE AMAZING and inspiration to us all!! I walked CF 2018 and 2019 and planning to walk Portugese or Via Francigena (Lucca to Rome) as we speak. Once Camino gets your heart it never leaves it. I even enjoy it more now as my sweetheart is joining me for a weeks walk when she can. Good luck and keep on posting.

 

[rometimed]

AWESOME!!
I will be finishing my 2nd Camino Frances a couple of weeks prior.

BUEN CAMINO