Since I decided to walk the Camino de Santiago a couple of years ago I have experienced a number of new things: new hiking boots, lightweight sleeping bag, frame pack, blisters, callouses... and now blogging. Someone suggested this as a way to keep in touch with friends and family as I walk. So I'll begin by using it tell a little about how this pilgrimage came about and my preparations. Welcome to anyone reading this! Guess I'll start with "why".
Back in 2008 I started thinking about the fact that I was fast approaching my 60th birthday. I was looking at this birthday as a milestone. Both of my parents started showing signs of dementia early in the 80s and died later in their 80s. But before that they were very active. In fact my mom was singing and even up dancing just a couple of weeks before her death. They had very rich years as "elders" and I decided I wanted to spend some time looking at how I would live the years making up the final chapters of my life.
But how to do this. I love having time alone, solitude, silence, time for prayer, contemplation, but I do not always stick it out for long. There's always something that needs to be done, or my attention simply gets distracted.
A number of years ago I heard of a clergywoman in our conference (New England Conference of the United Methodist Church) walking the Camino de Santiago. She had asked for prayers as she walked. I had no idea what she was doing and on her return talked to her a little about it. Then another clergywoman from our conference walked the Camino in France for 3 months one year and returned to complete the Camino in Spain the following year. I had a chance to talk with her and started to think about the fact that all you do is walk on a pilgrimage of this type. And walking would mean time set aside with no meetings, housework, phone calls... I started to think about the the Camino as a pilgrimage, a time set aside to contemplate how I would live my senior years and by spring 2009 I had decided to definitely walk the Camino de Santiago during the summer after my 60th birthday. That's when I learned that the pilgrimage would not start in August 2011 in Spain, but rather, it started as I began preparations. So here I am now, blogging, as another part of preparing.
Back in 2008 I started thinking about the fact that I was fast approaching my 60th birthday. I was looking at this birthday as a milestone. Both of my parents started showing signs of dementia early in the 80s and died later in their 80s. But before that they were very active. In fact my mom was singing and even up dancing just a couple of weeks before her death. They had very rich years as "elders" and I decided I wanted to spend some time looking at how I would live the years making up the final chapters of my life.
But how to do this. I love having time alone, solitude, silence, time for prayer, contemplation, but I do not always stick it out for long. There's always something that needs to be done, or my attention simply gets distracted.
A number of years ago I heard of a clergywoman in our conference (New England Conference of the United Methodist Church) walking the Camino de Santiago. She had asked for prayers as she walked. I had no idea what she was doing and on her return talked to her a little about it. Then another clergywoman from our conference walked the Camino in France for 3 months one year and returned to complete the Camino in Spain the following year. I had a chance to talk with her and started to think about the fact that all you do is walk on a pilgrimage of this type. And walking would mean time set aside with no meetings, housework, phone calls... I started to think about the the Camino as a pilgrimage, a time set aside to contemplate how I would live my senior years and by spring 2009 I had decided to definitely walk the Camino de Santiago during the summer after my 60th birthday. That's when I learned that the pilgrimage would not start in August 2011 in Spain, but rather, it started as I began preparations. So here I am now, blogging, as another part of preparing.
3 comments:
Cathy,
Tom Cox [TomLCox@TLcox.net] here:
I received your e-mail at the new address and linked over here to your blog site. [I want to thank you for choosing this method as opposed to one of the so called "social network" sites as I do not, and will not, join one of those. Blogs are OK.]
Your plan for trekking the Camino de Santiago sounds interesting and Linda and I are looking forward to keeping up with you (vicariously, of course) as you make progress. Are you planning on taking a camera and posting pictures as you go?
Best wishes always, Tom
Easy to not think about such things, but vital that we do: "how I would live the years making up the final chapters of my life."
Dear Cathy,
Thank you for your information on the upcoming pilgrimage. I found it very interesting. Jimmy and I traveled in Spain 7 years ago-we drove from Madrid to the northern parts of Spain which included Santiago de Compostelo and then across to Barcelona. I found Santiago de Compostelo to be my favorite place of the trip. One evening after dinner we heard singing out in the plaza and went to investigate. It was a group of young men dressed in period costumes entertaining a group that had assembled. There were people from many countries who were singing along and dancing and it was truly a spiritual experience.
Good luck on your trip. We look forward to reading your blogs. One practical note--try taking Osteo-Biflex for your knees and joints. (Triple strength) It has been a miracle for my knees. You can find it in the grocery store or pharmacy. Also, it is recommended by the Arthritis Foundation.
Love, Frances
Post a Comment