Going Home: October 14, 2014

Going Home: October 14, 2014

Last night we checked into a hotel near the airport. Jill a fellow pilgrim has been with us for the past few days,  After taking a long hot bath and all of us having dinner together she caught a shuttle to the airport.  Her flight leaves at 6:30 in the morning and she was nervous about missing it.  This was our last good bye to one of our Camino friends.

This little motel room with 2 twin beds,  shower/bath and flat screen TV is the most luxury we have had since leaving Burgos, 3 weeks ago.  We are marveling at having our own bath, sheets, blankets, outlets and lights over our beds.  The woman at the desk arranged the shuttle to the airport.  It feels heavenly.

We are now on the plane home with movies, videos, music, food, drinks and service.  I am watching a movie and suddenly overwhelmed with all that we have at our disposal all the time.  Very soon I will be back with the responsibility for taking care of all that we have.  Soon I will be bombarded with emails, phone calls and other electronics.  And I wonder, is this what I want?

For the past 6 weeks I have gotten along with carrying all my belongings on my back.  My feet have told me when it is too much.  My riches have come in the form of beautiful landscapes, awesome cathedrals, experiencing the local wines and foods and most of all the people.

It was so hard those first few weeks to give up familiar enjoyable food, time alone, privacy, family, work and friends.  Now I wonder, what do I need, what do I want?  What is enough?

My conversation with others on the Camino always led back to a few central themes.
1.  We all are more alike then we are different.
2.  God provides.  Trust
3.  Lay your burdens down.  Don't pick them up again.
4.  Be present and support others. But remember everyone has their own Camino. Don't pick up more burdens then I can carry.
4.  Life is short, don't waste it.
5. Share your life, that is where it is richest.
6. Walk together.
7.  We are not alone. Trust!

Other themes that carried me through the long days of hiking came from my past year focusing on living deeply, loving boldly, and laughing often.
1.  Take the next right step.
2.  Dream big dreams
4.  Draw the circle wide.
5.   Celebrate: "Very good, very good. Yea!"

And finally I have learned some lessons about my own body.
1.  First take time to take care of it.
2.  It is more capable then I imagine.
4.  Do hard things.
5.  Get rid of the burdens I put on it that include:  not enough rest, too much weight, and poor diet.
6.  Finally,  like my grandson told me, "Be strong Gramma!"

I am sure as the days go by I will continue to digest and process all that happened over the course of this pilgrimage.  And in the midst of this process I will continue to "walk-on", praying for those who cannot and expecting miracles.