Camino de Santiago

This all began in 2004 when my dear friend walked the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Mary passed away in 2013 from cancer. She was an incredible, faithful woman. When we met, I was not well, deep within my eating disorder. We connected over our gift of faith and devotion that we both shared. We built a treasured friendship, endless conversations that I hold dear, and I honestly do not think I would be alive without her unfailing support. She was one of the few that refused to give up on me when I wanted to give up daily.

During her last weeks of her life before she passed after the most vicious fight, she asked me to come to her bedside as I had done often. She told me that she wanted me to walk the Camino de Santiago in her name after she was gone. She knew the blessing within the journey and wanted me to find the light within it for my life among those precious steps. I agreed wanting to bring her peace, not really thinking it through at the time. I had two small babies and just steps away from being on my own.

Fast forward to October 2020, I finally decided to walk it for my 50th birthday. I trained, prepared, and saved. But covid had other plans; I was devastated. Someone shared with me a virtual Camino pilgrimage during lockdown, and I decided to accept the challenge. I was not going to let the moment pass. I walked the length on the trails of Southwest Virginia. It was not the same, but I held its meaning. From that moment life just kept challenging me from one thing to the next, raising two children alone; I thought it was never going to happen.

Since that time so many were inspired by my story to walk their own pilgrimages. I thought my day was never going to come until I decided it was time. I first thought of leading a pilgrimage as I have done to Israel and Lourdes for young adults. But then a friend reminded me that I did not need a reason to do something for myself; I could simply walk it for me. That hit hard.  So, I poured everything I had left into the pilgrimage and started training.

Life has been challenging me in my work, personal mindset and even faith changing in endless ways lately. I have one child in college and the other a senior in high school; as a single mom, I knew I needed this moment. The future is filled with even more changes in the next year that are life defining. I feel a call to really ‘come home to myself’ and my faith in ways I have been neglecting.

It is time to walk. Buen Camino!


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