In these last few weeks of the Veranda and all the organizational positive motion for Caminoheads I want us to remember our roots. Most of us trained on the Camino and it is the main thing that draws us together. But I just want us to remember that there are folks there now working away at their pilgrimage even as we enjoy our memories.
One of the folks that was here for the Veranda two weeks ago is there now and needs our old thoughts and prayers. And that is Debra Jarvis who was here with here husband Wes. I forget which day but it was probably Saturday. She is around Pamplona maybe and is challenged by shin splints. Please send her the energy that she needs to continue her journey.
I am in contact with her by cell text and my words of encouragement and sage advice are hopefully helping out. I think it is helpful to know that there is no right way. If you have to take a cab or have your pack carried then do it and continue.
Anyway there are others too that you may know of. Back them up the best you can. We are not here only to remember our own version of the Camino but to welcome others and “walk” with them where we can on their version. Remember Debra.
And so much thanks to Pilgrim Farmer John for his blog of introduction yesterday. He is such a mighty personality and it is great to have him on our team. Next friday we will have another of our Bureau Chiefs checking in with you.
So off I go. Helping Wiley with one of his projects today. All good at the ranch.
mighty personality loves, Felipé.
Hola Felipe,
Too bad I cannot remember Debra from the Veranda… but it is so good to know that she is in the Camino, either walking or taking a rest to let her legs recover. It is difficult to say something to Pilgrims who are trying for the first time to walk the Camino that what they have to do is to take it easy; specially if we have to say that we didn’t need to slow down the walk or send our bags, but I tend to think that we can do that just because we know that while the walking piece is a big part of it, there is another big part that happens in the albergues, in the chats with the pilgrims in any given bar at breakfast, or mid-morning snack, or lunch, or post-walking beers; another big part happens sitting in the bench at mass (even if you are not Catholic or religious, it is a routine I always recommend!), and deeply we know lots happens just for being away.
Indeed, if a pilgrim goes to Spain thinking that he or she needs to arrive to Santiago having walked the 800 km in the 33 days that “the guide” says, not being able to walk at the recommended rhythm will feel like a disappointment, but the Camino is much more than walking. That is the pure truth.
I am re-living my Camino these weeks, as back in 2014, I started on 03Sep… Send my encouragement to Debra. And like you, I would also tell her that the only way to do the Camino is her way, and if that means to walk half or a quarter of the day and take a taxi for the rest of the day and get to the albergue, or take a day off, or 2 or 3, it is perfectly fine… she is just cultivating the Pilgrim’s spirit, not accumulating millage!
Pilgrims Love,
Cris
Cris ~ oh, how lovely for Debra or for others who struggle. You really captured it my dear. I am going to figure out how to send that to her. I haven’t heard from her in a few days, that could be a good sign or bad sign. Trying to whittle out my blog for the day. Miss you, Felipé.x
Phil,
Tell Debra I am in solidarity with her, daily reading Annie’s lovely “Everyday Camino with Annie.” I thought that Debra’s Camino was to begin on September 10th; does she have shin splits before she even starts? This is also my Camino month; Katherine and I walked from Sept. 7–October 4, 2015, so I am with Debra (and my friends Iris and John, who also started today; keep them in your prayers as well; thanks) every step of The Way. And thanks for the wise words from you, and Cris. xo
Henriette ~ hi. I’m a little confused about the timing of her trip and the onset of her leg problems. But she seems to be making her way, near Logrono now. Apparently it is very crowded, no room in the inn. OK, I really don’t know much. Felipé.x