Camino 2017 – the sequel

April 15, 2017 – and so the journey begins!

I am sitting comfortably in the lounge at Atlanta (where they actually have a beautiful outdoor patio!!) awaiting my flight in a few hours to Madrid. Upon arrival in Madrid tomorrow morning I will make my way to Burgos to rendezvous with Rosemary & Laura. “Make my way” may be a bit overstating the effort as I have wussed out and arranged for a car service to get me to Burgos – I will start being a hard-core pilgrim come Monday – really!!

Rosemary & Laura are already in Burgos. They made the wise decision to bus ahead for a few days of the walk to give their joints and feet a bit of a break.  

I am both excited and nervous to be heading back. The excited I understand because of how much I loved “the Way” last year.  The nervous part I am honestly at a loss to explain…and I’m sure it won’t last beyond my arrival at Burgos.

It was tough to say adios to Sophie at the house and Tom at the airport. They are real troopers in being so supportive of this return.  It is also a little tough missing the Leafs actually in the playoffs for the first time in who knows how many years!!!  Maybe they’ll beat the Capitals and still be playing when I return (no, I haven’t been drinking – just wishful thinking).

For several months I have been carrying around part of our church bulletin from the Advent season because I found the prayer of confession quite appropriate for a pilgrimage. Let me share it with you-

As we travel down the road to Bethlehem (Santiago), we notice how weighted down we are with items that need not make the trip. Like pack rats we bring too much with us – feelings that are heavy and unforgiving; thoughts about our own shortcomings we would like to change; anxiety about the future; an attachment to things and possessions; resentments and hurts that have grown through the months.  Sometimes we don’t make much progress – weighted down as we are with this heavy load. Enable us to lift our burdens and find a way to travel lighter.