This phrase “The Intrepid Little Flower” popped up yesterday when I was writing. It seems appropriate when thinking about my experience living with cancer. I am just a little plant growing in a crack in the concrete doing what I can. And to actually flower is a joyful experience.
Just yesterday I saw two little blue flowers right together each on a stem less than an inch long. The whole thing was miniature and easily missed by the hurried traveler. Then last evening I returned to look for them and the stairs where they were growing had been cleaned and they were gone. Yea. Makes a guy want to carry a camera.
Ah, one of my adorable nurses just told me she is going to do the Camino next month. And she just saw Phil’s Camino last evening so she is getting pumped. And I am pumped up just hearing about it. I M getting high just thinking about her going. So happy trip and godspeed to her and her group. “Buen Camino!” I think is the phrase.
At the hospital today because of the holiday yesterday my usual day. And the sun is out so brightly. Will be done in maybe two hours. So much stuff to do back at the ranch most involving beating back the jungle.
Time to go. Fun being with you, Felipe.
Phil, knowing plants, I think those little blue flowers will be BACK, because the sweeper scrubber did not get the ROOTS. Check next time you are there…
All these plants in cracks reminds me of being in China bringing home one of my girls, a small city for China, standing at an intersection, a 1’by 1′ triangle by the road, with a full grown cabbage! Right there! I wondered who would eat it, how who would harvest it was decided… but that space was occupied and opulent:). Also I wondered why my cabbages are not so beautiful:). This was not a prime growing spot!
Lots to think about. love, Michelle
Michelle ~ thank you, lovely comment from my lovely neighbor. That is a great remembrance from China. Am publishing this with Pilgrim Farmer John’s comment in the blog today. Incredibly positive and powerful stuff you guys are talking. Felipe.x. PS – And we may have just coined a new word posipowerful!
Hola Amigo Felipe!
I was looking for just the right opening to tell you about Camino-connected stuff “flowering” in my neck o’ the woods, and you have certainly provided it today!
Item one, the anesthesiologist who took me “under” for my cardiac bypass surgery and made sure all systems were working during the procedure contacted me last week. We had spent some quality time both pre and post surgery talking about my activities before the heart operation. He was most intrigued by the Camino saga, and the seed was planted in fertile soil. His call was to let me know he is taking his two young teen daughters and going to walk two weeks of the Camino starting August 1st. They hope to make it a yearly event as the girls grow up and add two weeks walking every year from the point they finish up the prior year. I was just thrilled by this news and told him how proud I was of his decision. He turned it right around and gave ME all the credit for doing such an inspiring thing to prompt others to “go and do also”.
And the second Camino-connected event is even more powerful. A friend I met at a CEW (Christian Experience Weekend) retreat several years ago was using the event as a help in his dealing with the death of his wife by cancer. His daughters were only 7 and 9 years old at the time of their mom’s passing. We really bonded at the retreat and have stayed closely connected, if only by calling and writing. He used the CEW experience to help him decide to enter the deaconate program at St Ambrose U. After a year of that, it was clear to him that his true calling was to the Priesthood. His daughters enthusiastically supported his decision and are his biggest fans. No surprise there, huh? As he was nearing the end of his studies, he felt strongly called to walk the Camino following his ordination. He too remembered my enthusiasm in describing this amazing Pilgrimage when I presented the talk at CEW gatherings. He and a fellow priest did in fact walk the entire Camino Frances and felt it provided them with many answers to the questions that go with the beginnings of priesthood.
The “Rest of the Story” wonderful part is, Fr Bill has just been assigned to our Parish!! What a thrill this is for all of us, and just as thrilling for him, as he will be within 20 miles of the town his now-grown daughters live in. How’s that for blooming where you’re planted!
A long post, but I don’t think there’s a charge for excessive verbiage. 😉
Blooming!
Semper Fi,
PFJ
Thank you my buddy-o-buddies! A tremendous comment from Wellman. I’m publishing it on the blog today along with another winner from Pilgrim Farmer Michelle from my neighborhood. You guys saved my bacon as we used to say. I hope this means that we will hear more from you in the future days. You’ve kind of been on the quiet side but I can see you are roaring back. I just had to push the right buttons. Love you Man! Felipe.