Camino de Santiago

Back in February my sister CJ called to say that her daughter Jean had texted her a message asking if she'd like to do the Camino de Santiago. CJ texted her back: 6 miles with a guide? Jean's response: 10 miles without a guide! Then Jean asked if she thought her Aunt MJ would like to go, too! It didn't take me long to decide - definitely YES! This was back in February, and since then, I've begun training and reading, reading, reading.... any book I could find by people who had done the Camino.

Recently, a couple of people asked if I'd blog not only my experience of the Camino itself, but about my preparations for it. I've never done a blog, and hope I can be faithful to it. Thank you, Jim Cyr, for your encouragement and leading me to this blog site!

In the early days, back in February, the weather was quite cold - and of course it was very dark in the early morning when I could begin walking. So... many a morning I walked the entire length of the Mount (Mount St. Mary in Watchung) from St. Joseph's building to Gabriel Hall. Some of it is connected by an underground tunnel, so I never had to worry about the weather or the light.

When I could, I'd walk down the hill as far as the Dunkin' Donuts, which is only about a 1/2 mile, and back up the hill. Those beginning walks told me how out-of-shape I had gotten - a far cry from my NYC Marathon days! Eventually, the pains in my shins and butt lessened, and today I walked all the way to the post office in Scotch Plains and back with absolutely no pain at all. I'll have to measure the distance in the car later on.. but I know it's the longest I've walked so far in preparation for this pilgrimage.

Early on, I realized by training to do this pilgrimage I was already a pilgrim. I believe the hours and days of preparation will hold for me surprising blessings as well.

I have reflected many times on just why I am going to do this pilgrimage and what I hope to receive from it. At first it was just a response to an opportunity -- Jean and CJ inviting me to go along with them. But by choosing to say "yes" not only to the pilgrimage but to all the training, I'm feeling more committed to the whole process. At this point, I'm just staying open to whatever the Lord wishes to do in and through me.