Well I would have to say this may be the strangest Mother's Day I have ever spent, on the Camino, high in the mountains of Spain. Sitting in an Albergue in a nearly abandoned village at a height of almost 1400 m. I walked up here today and what a wonderful sight it is to see the mountains again. It was a rocky path but it wound up through wonderful vistas and big gorse bushes in shades of mauve, yellow and white. It almost seems as if the Camino is bracketed by mountains.
So many contrasts. Wandering through the stone villages with populations of maybe 20 or 50 never seeing a soul. They resemble movie sets where the actors have left for the day and then to arrive at a city like Leon or Astorga, dominated by the majestic cathedrals and the wonderful architecture of bygone days. They crackle with life when the Spanish people swarm the bars and restaurants after 8:00 pm, pushing babies in strollers and holding onto toddlers. Then to pass from that to the majesty of the mountains or the sight of the fields of wheat and barley, being stirred by a wind which reveals all the different hues of green as a ripple runs through them. Only by walking through all this, is the memory imprinted on my soul.
I have to admit though that this morning, as I lay in my bottom bunk and watched my friend Serina pack up her pack at 5:30 am and start walking and then listen to the people on the floor above also packing up and sounding like a legion of Roman soldiers who had walked this land before, I had the question in my mind, "what in the good Lord´s name am I doing here, miles away from everyone I love, on Mother's Day?"
The question is being answered moment by moment. Maybe it isn't me that follows the Way, the Way will find me.
Beautiful brave writing, my love, thank you x.
ReplyDeleteYou will hear the answer now that the question has been spoken. I think all inspired action comes to this point at some time along the way. It's an intuitive knowing to do something this big, put one foot in front of the other and create the experience. But it's inevitable that there comes a time of wondering what it's all about. Be assured you'll know in perfect timing. And it's okay to not know right now. Trust the initial inspired knowing and action. This was right. Now, one foot in front of the other again, watching and hearing the answers that come, in perfect time. This is what I'm doing with my inspired action move to Stratford...I'm now wondering exactly why. Openness, Trust, Faithing, is the Way. Much Love on Mother's Day,Bethany xo
ReplyDeletewhat an inspiration you are,happy mother's day xx God Bless
ReplyDeleteHappy Mother's Day Chris! Smiles & Blessings with Angel Hugs, Lorri
ReplyDeleteHey, you're finally getting to feel like a real peregrina. Not knowing is part of the adventure and mystique. I'm still not sure what the Way meant for me even after 2 years. However, as each day goes by, I get one more step to understanding the significance of my Camino. All is right with the world.
ReplyDeleteBuen Camino
John
Your family were with you every step of the way yesterday and I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day! I've just been catching up on your blogs and it's wonderful to read all of your fantastic descriptions of the scenery and the towns and villages. It must be so beautiful. Keep on, keeping on!
ReplyDeleteBuen Camino
Besos
Pam xxxxxxxxx
Good Day, Love Bunny! I'll tell you what you were doing "there" so far from "here" on Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteYou were answering a deeper call, perhaps of the ancient mother that roamed those roads in pre-Christian times....a practical mystic must answer the call and keep going even when wondering why or what for...at least this is what I tell myself more often than I care to admit!
I hope you are going to have your hiking boots "bronzed"--you know, how they used to do baby shoes--I look forward to visiting the shrine of "she whose boots turned out not to be too big for the task!" Laughing as I write! Morgana
You are definitely up there with Dad's "Canadian Chronicles" How very brave you are--I am still in awe at your undertaking!! We all thought of you on Mother' Day -- missed you! This trip will forever be -- memories for years to come -- thought of you when I read this!! Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. LOVE YOU SISTER DEAR XX
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