Oh My, It’s Camino Time!

Oh My, Who Is This Person?

Preparing for the Camino has been both transformative and informative. Already we are different people than before this seed of an idea became a peek of green breaking through the ground of our beings. Walking for hours at a time proved to make us more introspective and even contemplative. The quiet times walking side by side were the most precious in some way. It’s a metaphor for the 53 years of companionship Sally and I have shared. To be silent in safe company is something to be cherished. Many of the widows and widowers with whom I share my ministry life tell me that what they miss the most is the presence of their life partner. Sally and my walks have cemented that feeling into both of us.

I wonder now what 35 days of this will mean for us and for our relationship. I’m anxious to find out and also a little anxious to experience the changes in us and between us. You get comfortable, you know? Oh my, it’s Camino time!

”I Can Walk All Day” — yeah, maybe!

We’ve learned a lot about a variety of matters connected to this kind of rigorous activity. First of all, there is the realization that “I can walk all day, but …” Maybe you’ve said that too, or at least thought it—“I can walk all day.” Well, maybe, but it’s not as easy as it sounds. It takes Sally and me two hours to walk six miles—that’s just walking time, not total time on the walk. And the walking involves us being fully equipped—trekking poles, backpacks with 12-15 lbs, and of course, good hiking boots. (It took me three tries to get boots that are now working.)

Consider then that we will be averaging 13-15 miles a day at a 20-minute-mile pace—that’s walking time again. What that computes to is 5-6 hours on our feet putting one foot in front of the other. We’ll be stopping along the way to drink water, eat lunch and snacks, chat with others, enjoy the scenery, and then whatever serendipitous moments come our way. On the days when we walked 15-18 miles it took us 7 to 8 hours total time. And at the end of those long walks our legs were heavy.

Bottom line, maybe you can walk all day, but it is not a walk in the park! Oh my, it’s Camino time!

Getting Older Is Not a Myth

We also discovered some realities about our bodies. We have issues. Several years ago Sally had an excruciating experience with sciatica and so she’s constantly monitoring the left side of her back and leg. Eight years ago I broke two vertebrae in my neck—don’t ask! An MRI technician mentioned my scoliosis. “What scoliosis?” I asked. “Your spine curves to the right. You didn’t know that?” No, I did not, but it explained a lot of things to me. I could never run fast. My right foot kicks out when I run. Every time I take a step my right foot twists slightly inward. What my training has revealed is that this twisting is pestering my right knee and causing some blistering on the front pad of my foot.

Hammer Toes

And I have “hammer toes”—thankfully not serious, but still. And I didn’t know that either. As we trained, I began to get blisters on the ends of my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th toes. Finally I went to a podiatrist and first thing he said was, “You have hammer toes. Not bad, but enough to bother you now.” My toes claw a little when I walk is the bottom line.

So, now what? I finally got into the right shoes, thanks to my friend Matt at Outpost in Holland, and I discovered gel toe caps and hiker’s wool—a product made in New Zealand that has been a blister saver.

What If We Can’t Do It?

What happens if we can’t finish the 35 days? And yes, we are worried about that possibility.

A week or so ago I received an insight from a new acquaintance. We were talking about life and he asked me if I thought his 24-year marriage, which ended in divorce, was a success or a failure. Odd question to ask someone you just met, and one that seems simple to answer. Of course, if your marriage ends in divorce, it was a failure, right?

Rather than answer, I asked him to explain the question. Here’s what he said: “In 24 years my ex-wife and I raised three children, each of whom has been pretty well launched into life. Together, my ex and I, successfully started and ran a business. We each achieved advanced degrees from college. We had many happy moments. Obviously, we had rough spots, but just because our marriage ended in divorce doesn’t mean it was a failure.”

I could only nod my head and think about my view of my own life. And later, I thought about the Camino walk. If we do not finish, will we have failed? By now, most of you know Sally and me well enough to know we will do our very best to walk this walk together, and all the way to the end. But if for one reason or another we have to walk off the trail, what will that mean?

Trying Is Doing, Isn’t it?

It will mean that we tried. So often we don’t stretch ourselves, challenge ourselves, because we are afraid we might fail. And we will fail. We will all fail at some point or another. My challenge to myself and then to you with me is to try something hard, something you worry you might not be able to accomplish. The trying is what matters, I think, not the metrics others, or even you yourself, put on the endeavor.

“Just another cold, dark night on the side of Everest.” Perhaps you’ve heard that phrase. If not, it’s a good one to think through. If you are going to try something hard, then there will be moments of cold and dark, times of fear and doubt. You can count on it. Folks who know things about psychology talk about how important mindset is to contentment and achievement. Those who know that there will be tough times in life are the ones who are most likely to “reach for the stars”, so to speak. Life is hard. By now you must know that is true. But if you and I can get to a deep understanding that there will be difficult moments in our journey then when they come maybe we’ll be able to embrace them as a part of life rather than let them defeat us. Oh my, it’s Camino time!

Ready or Not, Camino, Here We Come!

This afternoon we get on a plane and God-willing we begin. There are some of you reading this who wish you could be with us, but for one reason or another you can’t. Please know that from time to time we will think of you and when we do then we will miss you.

Thank you for the words of encouragement so many of you have given us. We’re also grateful for the couple who gave us enough euros for our first meal in France. Why didn’t the rest of you think of that?

Oh my, it’s Camino time! Buen Camino!