Pat Gannon
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- I plan to walk the Camino between 18th, August, and 26th, September, 2014
On this day one year ago I was on my second day on the Camino Frances from Roncesvalles to Larassoana. On that second day I knew that it was special but little did I realise how wonder amazing and extraordinary the next five weeks would be. Even now I just cannot get it out of my mind. Every day since I have returned I think about some aspect of my pilgrimage. I regularly feel an almost painful longing to be back there. My experiences were not all pleasant though. There was plenty of pain physically and emotionally to be endured.
I met so many amazing people including Chris, Fritz, Peter, the Kiwi group ,Paco ,Georgina, Eliana, Jessica, Hege, Jose, Scally and Gosia to name but a few. I will read my daily diary over the next five weeks and try to relive the experience. Many things have happened in my live both on the pilgrimage and since I returned. I am much more compassionate, and my tears come more freely. Material possession mean less and less to me. My process seems to be on-going. I know that this sharing will also help me along.
When that longing gets very intense to be back on the pathways of northern Spain re tracing the foot steps of the many pilgrim who have gone before us, I remember the "Santiago Pilgrims Blessing" which we received on that last morning during which we were reminded that ................inspired by the experience on the Camino we may live out the values of the Gospel as our pilgrimage through life continues............ Though now in my early sixties I will return once more at least to the sacred place. I would like to share a few lines which I have written to celebrate the first anniversary of my Camino.
On the road to Santiago 2014
The smile I wore upon
upon my face, betrayed
the joy that did displace,
the pain that was
to be endured inside,
On the road to Santiago.
The pack I wore upon
my back, each day,
the weight of which
increased as shoulders
ached and back strain took,
On the road to Santiago
The shoes I wore upon my feet,
each day the miles
I would repeat, on
misty mountain paths
and plains in scorching heat,
On the road to Santiago.
The angst I wore from day
to day, the weight of which
I now can say, eased
the pain inside, a life contrived
to kill my spirit which survived,
On the road to Santiago.
The gentleness I felt
despite, the snoring every night,
my sleep disturbed, I did
complain. The shame I felt
when I realised I was the same,
On the road to Santiago.
The love I wore it did
endure the days and
weeks in footsteps walked
the pilgrim paths
and ancient history traced
On the road to Santiago
I met so many amazing people including Chris, Fritz, Peter, the Kiwi group ,Paco ,Georgina, Eliana, Jessica, Hege, Jose, Scally and Gosia to name but a few. I will read my daily diary over the next five weeks and try to relive the experience. Many things have happened in my live both on the pilgrimage and since I returned. I am much more compassionate, and my tears come more freely. Material possession mean less and less to me. My process seems to be on-going. I know that this sharing will also help me along.
When that longing gets very intense to be back on the pathways of northern Spain re tracing the foot steps of the many pilgrim who have gone before us, I remember the "Santiago Pilgrims Blessing" which we received on that last morning during which we were reminded that ................inspired by the experience on the Camino we may live out the values of the Gospel as our pilgrimage through life continues............ Though now in my early sixties I will return once more at least to the sacred place. I would like to share a few lines which I have written to celebrate the first anniversary of my Camino.
On the road to Santiago 2014
The smile I wore upon
upon my face, betrayed
the joy that did displace,
the pain that was
to be endured inside,
On the road to Santiago.
The pack I wore upon
my back, each day,
the weight of which
increased as shoulders
ached and back strain took,
On the road to Santiago
The shoes I wore upon my feet,
each day the miles
I would repeat, on
misty mountain paths
and plains in scorching heat,
On the road to Santiago.
The angst I wore from day
to day, the weight of which
I now can say, eased
the pain inside, a life contrived
to kill my spirit which survived,
On the road to Santiago.
The gentleness I felt
despite, the snoring every night,
my sleep disturbed, I did
complain. The shame I felt
when I realised I was the same,
On the road to Santiago.
The love I wore it did
endure the days and
weeks in footsteps walked
the pilgrim paths
and ancient history traced
On the road to Santiago
