I Learned Stuff

     Today we have been bums. Even though I couldn't sleep in...I lay in bed relishing the fact that I didn't have to get up and strap on my pack and walk. I throughly enjoyed walking...but feel relieved it's over. 

     When we did get up we went looking for food...they have hot chocolate here that is more like pudding and reminds me of the custard I cook for home made chocolate ice-cream. 

     Then we walked to the cathedral again and walked every inch that had access. We saw where supposedly the Apostle James' body was returned to Spain. (He had been on a mission to Spain for many years. Then returned to the Holy Land where he was martyred.)

     In the cathedral they had confessional booths going for many different languages...I thought about it...but I didn't have all day...also in the Cathedral we saw some friends...Julio from Guatemala (Laraine wrote about him...an amazing man.)

     And Jo from North Carolina who hiked for six weeks on her own!! (We know how daunting that would be!)

      Then we went and bought some clothes because ours are hashed and we look like we've been pilgrims for three weeks. (I'll be honest it seemed longer...)

     I'm still pondering the question my daughter Jacks asked me...I feel I learned a lot of things...I'll try to write some about them...but the one for tonight is: Try not to fall down...but if you do...get back up because things can heal and get better. Your face and your soul are heal-able...

     

We Just Stopped Walking

This morning was very wet and cool. Our path started through the trees. 

But ended up in the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela. 

Those last three miles on city sidewalks and streets were about the hardest of the trip. We were soooo close. 

And then suddenly we were there!

Our friend Linda from Holland was there to hug us, but otherwise it was a little anticlimactic. We just stopped walking. 

We went inside the cathedral, just in time for pilgrims Mass. It was crowded and we didn't have a seat so we sat down on the base of a huge stone column. 

After communion the main event began. 

As the massive Botafumeiro swung through the air trailing clouds of incense I remembered reading that originally it was used to fumigate sweaty and possibly disease ridden pilgrims. 

Later we brought our credentials, filled with stamps from places we stayed or ate to the Pilgrims office where we received our official credential. You must declare whether you are hiking for spiritual or religious or other reasons. 

When I came out with my certificate I waved it in the air and declared to the line of pilgrims waiting "I passed, I passed!"  They all clapped for me and an Irishman shook my hand.  I'm going to miss the friendliness of the Camino. 

We Made It!!!!!

     Holy moly!! We made it...we're here...we're done!

     11.6 miles and we were hustling to make it to the noon pilgrim's mass...my first mass...it was cool. At the end they have this big chandelier thing that they swing over the crowd with smoke coming out. I saw a few people I knew on the trail and it felt wonderful. 

    There was a nun who did a lot of singing during the mass...she had the most beautiful clear voice. It was touching. 

     Now, after a long hot bath and an expensive meal I'm lying on my bed resting and feeling grateful that I was able to take this journey. I'm also grateful it is over...in a few days Kim will be here and Laraine flies home and we party!! (I intend to take a cab everywhere:)

    Santiago is a beautiful city. It was exciting to get our first glimpse. 

     You can barely see it at the end of the road...

     Walking today we felt heaven shining on us. 

     My daughter Jackie asked me what is the main thing I learned during this journey. I'm still pondering that. 

   Just relishing that we made it. 

The Big Finish

     After over 12 miles today, tomorrow is our big finish!! We want to make it to Santiago by noon so we can attend a pilgrim's mass. 

     As we were walking today I found a note someone left for me. 

     To my secret admirer...thanks👍

     I'd like to say today was filled with glorified personal insight and revelation. But mainly it felt like a long, hard slog. To get to that big finish is now just mainly endurance. 

     But the scenery continues to enchant...

     Mostly I'm as hashed as I look. But darn it...I'm strong enough, I'm good enough, and dog gone it...people like me...

(Where is Stuart Smalley when you need him to carry your pack?)

The Rain in Spain Has Mainly Missed Laraine

It is raining. But hallelujah we are safely inside with our 12 mile day behind us. Due to my bad math, it was 2 miles longer than we had anticipated. Two miles is not a big deal, unless you've psyched yourself into a finish line. We were very glad to make it to Amenal - only 10 miles away from Santiago!

I will miss seeing the sunrise each morning. We go to bed before sunset because  it doesn't get dark til 10:30-11:00. I am usually awake about 5 or so and we're off before 7

I have had a lot of memories of childhood as we've walked, I think because we are

spending so much time outside. I've remembered forts in the cedars, long hours looking for arrowheads, walking to the Far Tank to swim and a hundred other summer joys. The Camino has

brought  them back to me. 

One interesting thing is, that with very few exceptions, people do not have earbuds in their ears listening to music or books. It is an unspoken practice on the Camino. You talk, you listen or are silent. You greet others as you meet them. You observe and feel without distraction. I have learned something from this. My inner dialogue has been instructive. 

Also, today we ran into a teepee that reminded of the wigwam motel in Holbrook, too bad we didn't find Romo's next to it. I need some Mexican food something fierce. 

P.S. If you can't get enough of the Camino, check out our friend Claudia from Arizona's blog at https://claudiacamina.wordpress.com

Something to Talk About

You would think that with all the years we have spent together, that Jill and I would have run out of things to talk about. That never happens. 

Today I relived the day 30 years ago that our son Cody was born. His big sister Rachael had been bringing us such happiness and we longed for another child to join her. In a miraculous turn of events, a teeny tiny little boy was born and we got a call from our attorney asking if we would like to adopt him. It was an easy choice. 

It was fun to remember the excitement and totally unexpected gift this boy was to our family. We would not be the same without him. Cody has a very loving heart and family means everything to him. He knows how to have fun and his laugh is the best. If he were along on this Camino he would probably be carrying my pack because he loves his mama and he's as strong as an ox. I know his sweet wife Breaelle and kids will be treating him right today. 

The miles are getting short. 

The gardens are still beautiful

The signs are occasionally confusing but we are not deterred. 

Two more days. 

To My One Million

     I've been thinking a lot about my grandchildren. I have about 1 million of them...really 17...but when we're all together it feels like 1 million. 

     The world is a wonderful and crazy place and I have a few thoughts about navigating your way through. Doesn't mean my thoughts are doctrine...just my doctrine.  

     And since many of my grandchildren don't read yet...I'm just hoping that some day, some way they read this. Here are my four thoughts...

1. Kissing is the best invention ever. Really it is. It's a way to be close to other human beings. There are two kinds of kissing...the kind we do on Eddie's luscious chubbiness, or the kind when you give your grandma a kiss on the cheek (which you should do each and every time you see her). 

    The second is romantic kissing. The kind your mom and dad do. It's absolutely great and something to look forward to. But you have to be selective with this kind of kissing. Some people can look fine and smooth on the outside but on the inside are dark holes (still redeemable but not kissers...). Know the inside of someone pretty well before kissing them...then it will stay amazing. Never kiss anyone you're uncomfortable with. Also keep your kissing list rather sparse. 

2.  If you don't know how to work hard you ain't got a thing. Work is the best therapy there is (and that's coming from a counselor). If you're sad--work...if you're hungry--work...work will keep you whole. If you're a lazy bum...quit!

3.  You gotta be nice. I would be sad to see any of you doing anything unkind...even to someone acting mean...just try and talk pleasant to them and if it doesn't work--walk away. Be nice to everyone!!!!

4.  There is no means under the heavens that we can ever make it without a Savior. I adore Him and worship Him because He provided the way for me. The way to be resurrected, and be around you forever, the way to repent (daily needed by me), and the example of how to try and live. Only He could accomplish that. It's for me, you and everyone who will ever walk the earth. 

I love you. Kiss often and right, work hard, be nice, remember Him. 

Love Grandma

All my grandsons, except Abers. 

My grand daughters.