Buen Camino! Walking through Life

Jealousy and happiness -- that's what I was feeling this morning as I dropped off my friend at the airport. This is the beginning of her journey on the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage trail hundreds of years old that goes across northern Spain.  I am happy for her, but I so wish I were going too. However, one day I will get on my hiking boots and walk 500 miles to the cathedral where St. James (you know one of the twelve Apostles) is reportedly buried.


(Cathedral in Santiago - Photo from Wikipedia)

I sent a little sealed letter addressed to God with my friend. She graciously said she would carry my small letter that I folded into a small rectangle and inscribed "For God on the Camino de Santiago". It feels nice sending my requests to God with an entrusted friend on pilgrimage. But, it was also quite nerve wracking. I put some pretty life-changing intentions in my letter. Fear washed over me as I wondered, 'What if it comes true? Can I really handle this? Do I really want these changes? Oh, shit! What am I asking God for?' Thing is, these are some needed changes, but I just need a little push from the universe and some divine help to make them to happen. Yet, my feelings oscillate between hopeful relief and neck-tingling anxiety. Oh well, I asked for it!

Pilgrims -- Image from Wikipedia

Although I'm not physically striding along the path to Santiago with my friend, I am there with her in spirit. I realize that I have my own daily pilgrimage to make -- one that is pretty arduous right now. She will experience right away the difficult slopes of the French Alps, she will go on to know cold communal showers and sweaty refugio beds, she will discover quaint Spanish villages, and she will meet many people from all over. I will have my own difficulties and exciting moments in my walk here. So, I have the Camino in my heart, even though it is not under my feet.

But, one day I will know Camino with my body and soul, especially if one of the prayers gets answered!