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recognition, by YOU, of how special this event was
Memory is a way of holding ontoOh, there was a glimmer in her eye, as if all her life and contribution had come together and focused in a moment that night, and I was blessed with being close by to recognize and record it.
The people we had met along the way also amplified the experience. There was an Italian Cop (female) and an American Ex Pat on their honeymoon. There was an Irish lass walking alone at such a young age that I assume is easily identified in the table photo, there was this older man from some European country, who was completing his 10th walk to Santiago... what a concept! 10 walks - who would do such a thing? and why?... (and yet, next May, it will be 8 for me..., now I get it)
Mary Kay was a successful business attorney in the US. This is one of her identities that was very important to her.
But she was also a mother to all she met, and cooking a great meal is such a wonderful way to spread love. So she did it. She loved it that night.
The best part is she never bragged about it or set it on the trophy stand. Between us, and those at the table, it was a humble expression of the joy of community.
Hard for me to miss, but rather easy to embrace, and always remember.
I was giving myself a walking tour and a dog came up and put her paws on my knees and then took my hand ever so softly in her mouth
Lets just say consciencous breeders breed for character first, then type, but always keeping in mind what the breed was created for. Ironically, why os it the "companion dogs" end up being the ankle biters?! But that is a whole other story.... Back to our regulat programming...Dogs are special. They have been genetically altered through artificial selection to meet our satisfaction, in such a loving, altruistic way.
They are also windows to their humans.
I only know the dog owners in my community.
Windows. And doorways.
I hear you, Al... I hear you loud and clear. Can't recall how many times I wept in The Tomb, The Holy Eucharist Chapel, at Mass.... only out of gratitude. Buen CaminoAfter so many Caminos, so many places, so many people, so many experiences it can still only be the one experience above all others. I had only walked 5 days from Ferrol on the Ingles, rarely with any company. It had given me a wonderful time of reflection. There I was, renewed, kneeling in front of St James for the first time and falling in love with him and everything his Camino was giving me. Fortunately the feelings I have whenever I kneel in front of him have not diminished. The gratitude to him is even more as I thank him for bringing me ever closer to my friend above. He has helped me arrive at a peace that keeps me forever joyful, forever with a smile on my face, and forever a person whose optimism is fulfilled. He has helped make me a very happy little bunny!
Your account of this experience gave me chills. How special, and what an experience--and ten camino! My goodness, you are such a sage. I hold you in great esteem.This continues to be my favorite recollection. --
Although 10 caminos and more than 450 nights usually in albergues provide limitless memories for which I am forever grateful, January 24, 2009, was singular.
I had walked 5 hours through strong wind, heavy rain, sleet and eventually dense snow up the Valcarlos route to the almost mythic monastery of Roncesvalles! Saw few people and no other pilgrims on the route; needed to ring the the monastery bell to ask for shelter and would be the only one staying in the frigid old winter albergue tucked opposite the cloister entrance.
When opening the monastery door the surprised monk greeted me saying "Senora in weather like this!" After stamping my Credential and offering hot tea, he invited me to the evening benediction. As always it was lovely. The service was held in the ancient Romanesque church (wonderfully heated!!) in front of the magnificent silver sculpture of the Virgin. Three monks assisted and asked me to stand with them at the altar. ...In retrospect how special it was that snowy night to be the single pilgrim where crowds have stood and will continue to stand throughout time. ...
Margaret Meredith
What an encouraging and heartfelt account. First, I can hardly believe that someone would discourage others--but that said, there was someone on my last Camino who mocked me for "following the arrows" and "trusting" that I would find a place to sleep every night. She was walking near me as I entered Ponferrada, and got busy on her device using bookingdotcom or something, and calling places and talking in a loud voice...I picked up my cadence and exited stage right (right following those arrows).What was my greatest Camino memory? I’ve thought a lot about this since first seeing this post. Unfortunately, the one that stays most with me was a negative experience, but it led to pondering my purpose on the Camino.
One day, a woman caught up to me and we began talking. She then boasted for the next 20 minutes about all the people she encouraged to quit their Camino. She believed that there should be no pain on the Camino and if a peligrino/a was experiencing any kind of struggle, they needed to return home. She couldn’t believe it when she saw people she told to quit who, a couple of days later, were still walking in pain and was so proud that she finally was able to convince them to leave. After 20 minutes of this, I tied my shoelaces (thanks DamienJ) and excused myself for a needed rest stop.
I was so irritated by her that I couldn’t stop thinking about what she said. The Camino is a microcosm of life. We’re all here to help each other to make it through hard times, not discourage them. I thought about giving young Chloé ibuprophen for her injured foot. When I realized that she hadn’t eaten and since ibuprophen shouldn’t be taken on an empty stomach, I gave her my cashews. She felt bad about “using all my stuff” but my response to her was that this was why we’re here, to help each other. I thought of the people who gave me Compeeds when my blisters were killing me, the hospitalera who drew a tub of salt water for me to soak my swollen feet, the people who noticed I was wearing my pack too high and helped me make adjustments, the man who taught me to use my poles for “cadence”, and the people who cheered as I arrived at the alburgues after them. So many stories that there’s not enough space, but I’m sure we all have had them. To those kind friends, Thank You! You are my greatest Camino memory.
The good thing about new technology? Less people in the albergues...She was walking near me as I entered Ponferrada, and got busy on her device using bookingdotcom or something, and calling places and talking in a loud voice...I picked up my cadence and exited stage right (right following those arrows).
After 20 minutes of this, I tied my shoelaces (thanks DamienJ) and excused myself for a needed rest stop.
Your little trick works both ways
The magic of the Camino, I cannot wait till on my way again this year.We were having a big celebratory dinner in Santiago, sunburned and hungry. An older Spanish couple at another table recognized us as periginos, and sent a bottle of fancy brandy with a note of congratulations.
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