Hope lives on...

[Dani7]

Hello everyone ,

2021 has given me renewed hope and resolve to keep at it. This last year has tested my strength in so many different aspects of my life. Determination waned but remained.

I must forge ahead and believe that my 20+ year dream to walk my first Camino (the Frances) will happen in the near future, hopefully by 2022. Was all set to fly out April 2nd 2020 but soon realized in January of that year that this pandemic would not only change the course of my little life but our entire world.

Blessed am I to still be healthy at 64, that no one in my family has suffered through Covid or that anyone close to me has died from it. Sadly, millions of others, including members of this forum, have not been so lucky. I have a new granddaughter I have yet to meet, she is two months old now. Although I live only two hours away, I am still oh so far due to Covid restrictions and lockdowns. Yet still...how blessed am I!

This morning, I was looking for my Sandisk iPhone backup stick that was packed with my Camino gear. Going through my box, it brought back such fond memories of my year long preparations for 2020. Seeing my med kit, ready for anything, my sunhat and pilgrim passport standing by...well it fired up my internal flame and resolve. My training with my pack will resume in the spring, whilst I do other training this winter. I can be more prepared by focusing on learning Spanish again and this time, not give up and staying committed.

Surely my Camino will not be experienced in the same way forum members have experienced it in the past and so lovingly described in this forum. The various Camino routes are more well known (especially the Frances) and this attracts modern changes to its infrastructure and now medical and wellness ones as well. I’m OK with that. I have nothing to compare my first Camino to and perhaps this is a blessing in and of itself.

The many videos viewed on YouTube from vloggers may not be the same experiences I get to have but one thing will not change: the heart stopping views of the Spanish landscape, the kindness of strangers and villagers, the time and stillness to contemplate and pray, the sounds and smells of nature, the magnificence of sunrises and sunsets, the feel of squishy rain in my shoes and the warmth of the sun on my face. The Camino awaits.

I will get there...hope lives on.

Dani

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Awww, Dani, such a lovely post! And such a lovely song you have shared. Your words have especially touched me today as you have waited twenty years to walk a camino!...myself only detained from my 6th for the past year, possibly two.
Your granddaughter is beautiful and you will be able to touch her one day I am sure of.
Thank you for your words...and your hope that is shared with so many of us.

 

[Ekelund]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts . Hope is all we have in these difficult times. I hope you get to walk the Camino and you soon can hold your granddaughter. She is lovely!
Buen Camino

 

[Dani7]

Awww, Dani, such a lovely post! And such a lovely song you have shared. Your words have especially touched me today as you have waited twenty years to walk a camino!...myself only detained from my 6th for the past year, possibly two.
Your granddaughter is beautiful and you will be able to touch her one day I am sure of.
Thank you for your words...and your hope that is shared with so many of us.

I get to anticipate and plan and train again. Which gave me a great sense of joy and peace at the time. I decided today to anticipate again and not give up. Thank you for your kind words. Time to put back the living into this life I’ve been given

 

[Richmond Gardner]

Those little ones have a way of renewing your faith! (And she is adorable). Keep your positive feelings foremost and you will be on the Camino, before you even go

 

[alexwalker]

Blessed am I to still be healthy at 64. that no one in my family has suffered through Covid or that anyone close to me has died from it. Sadly, millions of others, including members of this forum, have not been so lucky. I have a new granddaughter I have yet to meet, she is two months old now. Although I live only two hours away, I am still oh so far due to Covid restrictions and lockdowns. Yet still...how blessed am I!

Same; I am soon 67, with many Caminos under my belt. Plan your trip, enjoy, be alive, and learn. Unfortunately, though,CovID took my brother last year, but that's life. Take care.

As a grandfather myself, i can tell you (tongue in cheek):

Grandparentents and grandchildren have a common enemy: Their parents... We love our grandchildren, and they love us.

 

[Dani7]

Same; I am soon 67, with many Caminos under my belt. Plan your trip, enjoy, be alive, and learn. Unfortunately, though,CovID took my brother last year, but that's life. Take care.

As a grandfather myself, i can tell you (tongue in cheek):

Grandparentents and grandchildren have a common enemy: Their parents... We love our grandchildren, and they love us.

Very sad to hear about the loss of your brother Alex.

Life is all about learning, allowing ourselves to love and be loved. Can’t wait to love up that grand baby. We are surely going to be up to no good, much to the chagrin of her parents.

Wishing you a Buen Camino whenever that may be.

 

[Tim Floyd]

I planned Camino for about 4 years before I had the chance to go. I remember reading, watching movies and YouTube, imagining what it would be like. In some ways it was exactly what I expected. Other experiences were beyond what I could have imagined. It will be the same for you. Like you I find myself reflecting on the purpose I can discover in this last year. I get to see my grands frequently - so I understand your pain there - but I have not been able to visit my Mom in a year due to Covid. But Mom has been safe and well, so I can take comfort in that. I wish you the very best Camino and hope it exceeds your every desire.

 

[alexwalker]

cure"I planned Camino for about 4 years before I had the chance to go. I remember reading, watching movies and YouTube, imagining what it would be like. In some ways it was exactly what I expected. Other experiences were beyond what I could have imagined. It will be the same for you. Like you I find myself reflecting on the purpose I can discover in this last year. I get to see my grands frequently - so I understand your pain there - but I have not been able to visit my Mom in a year due to Covid. But Mom has been safe and well, so I can take comfort in that. I wish you the very best Camino and hope it exceeds your every desire.

I planned my first Camino for 1 year, totally not knowing what to do/expect. F.ex I brought with me a 3/4 kg. bicycle chainlock to "secure" my backpack when i had to leave it. .....

Anyway, on my first night in an albergue, in Jesus y Maria in Pamplona, without speaking any Spanish (at that time), I knew I had made it to the very start of my first Camino, and although not being religious, I folded my hands and hvispered a "thank you" amidst 150 or so snorers. I had made it to the start of my first Camino- It was fantastic.

Next day I started out for Cizur Menor & Puente la Reina. I immediately fell into the Camino life and survived perfectly, and that was the beginning of my Camino history.

Just do it.

 

[Dani7]

I planned Camino for about 4 years before I had the chance to go. I remember reading, watching movies and YouTube, imagining what it would be like. In some ways it was exactly what I expected. Other experiences were beyond what I could have imagined. It will be the same for you. Like you I find myself reflecting on the purpose I can discover in this last year. I get to see my grands frequently - so I understand your pain there - but I have not been able to visit my Mom in a year due to Covid. But Mom has been safe and well, so I can take comfort in that. I wish you the very best Camino and hope it exceeds your every desire.

I’m so glad your Mom is safe. I’m very lucky that I get to see my 91 year old mother often. I pray you see her soon Tim. Thank you very much for your well wishes. Once I take my first step my desire will be fulfilled and the rest of the walk...well I hope to have no expectations and live in the moment. Stay well

 

[lt56ny]

Hello everyone ,

2021 has given me renewed hope and resolve to keep at it. This last year has tested my strength in so many different aspects of my life. Determination waned but remained.

I must forge ahead and believe that my 20+ year dream to walk my first Camino (the Frances) will happen in the near future, hopefully by 2022. Was all set to fly out April 2nd 2020 but soon realized in January of that year that this pandemic would not only change the course of my little life but our entire world.

Blessed am I to still be healthy at 64, that no one in my family has suffered through Covid or that anyone close to me has died from it. Sadly, millions of others, including members of this forum, have not been so lucky. I have a new granddaughter I have yet to meet, she is two months old now. Although I live only two hours away, I am still oh so far due to Covid restrictions and lockdowns. Yet still...how blessed am I!

This morning, I was looking for my Sandisk iPhone backup stick that was packed with my Camino gear. Going through my box, it brought back such fond memories of my year long preparations for 2020. Seeing my med kit, ready for anything, my sunhat and pilgrim passport standing by...well it fired up my internal flame and resolve. My training with my pack will resume in the spring, whilst I do other training this winter. I can be more prepared by focusing on learning Spanish again and this time, not give up and staying committed.

Surely my Camino will not be experienced in the same way forum members have experienced it in the past and so lovingly described in this forum. The various Camino routes are more well known (especially the Frances) and this attracts modern changes to its infrastructure and now medical and wellness ones as well. I’m OK with that. I have nothing to compare my first Camino to and perhaps this is a blessing in and of itself.

The many videos viewed on YouTube from vloggers may not be the same experiences I get to have but one thing will not change: the heart stopping views of the Spanish landscape, the kindness of strangers and villagers, the time and stillness to contemplate and pray, the sounds and smells of nature, the magnificence of sunrises and sunsets, the feel of squishy rain in my shoes and the warmth of the sun on my face. The Camino awaits.

I will get there...hope lives on.

View attachment 92640View attachment 92641

Dani

You are one lucky Pilgrim having that little baby. Nothing would make me happier than being a grandpa. But I’m still waiting. You must be going nuts counting the days to hold that little one in your arms. Don’t worry about how the Camino has changed from pre-to post pandemic. Here is a good early pre Camino message. It doesn’t really matter your first Camino is unique and like nothing you have ever experienced. No two Caminos are the same and remember it’s just one step at a time. It really has no value to compare because it can diminish the experiences you are comparing. So go and walk on your own terms. You just keep walking and one day that little baby will be more grown up and maybe grandpa and granddaughter will love walk together.

 

[catheriam]

Hello everyone ,

2021 has given me renewed hope and resolve to keep at it. This last year has tested my strength in so many different aspects of my life. Determination waned but remained.

I must forge ahead and believe that my 20+ year dream to walk my first Camino (the Frances) will happen in the near future, hopefully by 2022. Was all set to fly out April 2nd 2020 but soon realized in January of that year that this pandemic would not only change the course of my little life but our entire world.

Blessed am I to still be healthy at 64, that no one in my family has suffered through Covid or that anyone close to me has died from it. Sadly, millions of others, including members of this forum, have not been so lucky. I have a new granddaughter I have yet to meet, she is two months old now. Although I live only two hours away, I am still oh so far due to Covid restrictions and lockdowns. Yet still...how blessed am I!

This morning, I was looking for my Sandisk iPhone backup stick that was packed with my Camino gear. Going through my box, it brought back such fond memories of my year long preparations for 2020. Seeing my med kit, ready for anything, my sunhat and pilgrim passport standing by...well it fired up my internal flame and resolve. My training with my pack will resume in the spring, whilst I do other training this winter. I can be more prepared by focusing on learning Spanish again and this time, not give up and staying committed.

Surely my Camino will not be experienced in the same way forum members have experienced it in the past and so lovingly described in this forum. The various Camino routes are more well known (especially the Frances) and this attracts modern changes to its infrastructure and now medical and wellness ones as well. I’m OK with that. I have nothing to compare my first Camino to and perhaps this is a blessing in and of itself.

The many videos viewed on YouTube from vloggers may not be the same experiences I get to have but one thing will not change: the heart stopping views of the Spanish landscape, the kindness of strangers and villagers, the time and stillness to contemplate and pray, the sounds and smells of nature, the magnificence of sunrises and sunsets, the feel of squishy rain in my shoes and the warmth of the sun on my face. The Camino awaits.

I will get there...hope lives on.

View attachment 92640View attachment 92641

Dani

Sitting in my midwinter Missouri breakfast table listening to "Pilot Me" as I pray for Spain and Portugal to receive the grace of St James to recover in perfect timing and in perfect ways from COVID-19, Camino-planning(longing) for my fourth in Autumn 2021 ... with tears running down my face.

 

[Dani7]

You are one lucky Pilgrim having that little baby. Nothing would make me happier than being a grandpa. But I’m still waiting. You must be going nuts counting the days to hold that little one in your arms. Don’t worry about how the Camino has changed from pre-to post pandemic. Here is a good early pre Camino message. It doesn’t really matter your first Camino is unique and like nothing you have ever experienced. No two Caminos are the same and remember it’s just one step at a time. It really has no value to compare because it can diminish the experiences you are comparing. So go and walk on your own terms. You just keep walking and one day that little baby will be more grown up and maybe grandpa and granddaughter will love walk together.

Thank you for the wise words about my Camino experience. You’re right. It will be like no other. This grandma is looking forward to holding this earth angel for sure.

 

[Dani7]

Sitting in my midwinter Missouri breakfast table listening to "Pilot Me" as I pray for Spain and Portugal to receive the grace of St James to recover in perfect timing and in perfect ways from COVID-19, Camino-planning(longing) for my fourth in Autumn 2021 ... with tears running down my face.

That song is the one I plan to take my first steps with. It is so humbling and beautiful. I never get tired of hearing it. We will walk. Wishing you your dream of walking this fall.

 

[Kathy F.]

I've done the CF+ a few times already, and planned for 2021, now plan for 2022.
Nevertheless, your words inspired me and reminded me of the magic and compulsion, the pull, each Camino can have on the Pilgrim.

Have you gotten your passport from Ivar yet???

 

[Dani7]

I have a passport that I had bought from the Canadian Company of pilgrims last year. Buen Camino. Fingers crossed for 2022.