Rabinal to Acebo: September 22, 2014: Day 23

Rabinal to Acebo: September 22, 2014: Day 23

It was still dark and raining this morning and immediately encountered a pretty steep climb with rocks and water running down the trail. I was glad I had my poncho and waking sticks.  I can feel my endurance improving, while I am breathing heavily I am not gasping for breath or needing to stop to catch my breath.

I am excited today because we came to the cross at the highest elevation of the Camino where people bring their stones from home to lay their burdens down or to offer prayers for loved ones.  It took us 3 hours to reach the top.  Just as we crested the rain stopped for a few moments.  We took the bag of rocks from my pack and carried them to the top of the pile that is more than 15 feet high.  Pilgrims for more than a 1000 years have been placing their stones at the foot of the cross.  Tears immediately came to my eyes when I laid my stones down.  I have come so far to do this.  I prayed for my kids and grand kids, for my sisters, for those with auto immune diseases, especially Doug, Tom, Emily, and Jen and for those who cannot walk, my sister Carolyn, Gay, and Ron.

As I walked from the cross I thought of all the students I serve with disabilities and people I work with and held them up in prayer.

By now the rain was coming down hard.  Angie was very cold and decided to push along faster.  It was steep going downhill, rocky and muddy. As I was stopping to tighten my poncho a young woman from Poland joined me.  We walked to the next town together in the rain.  It was about 7 Kilometers.  We shared our stories, our life.  She told me of her husband leaving her and the loss of her marriage.  I told her of the loss we have experienced with Doug's disease.  Our conversation made the time go by even though it was pouring rain and cold.  We are high in the mountains and the views are spactacular!  It is unbelievable.  We came to a small town and found Angie.  She had gotten us a room at an albergay that is brand new and has beautiful views of the mountains ( that are mostly covered in clouds). We stopped for lunch and a young man from Spain who is currently living in Houston joined us along with Gary who is walking the camino for the 7th time.  All pilgrims join together and help each other.  It is wonderful to share this journey with so many others.

Lessons Learned:  Lay your burdens down.  Walk-On in trust.