A Pilgrim Parable

Last night: The woman and her dog slept in an abandoned building on the streets of an unfamiliar city, taking shelter during afternoon rain. No place would accept the dog, even when the woman begged and offered to pay extra.

Last week: the woman shared during breakfast and on the trail that her Camino included learning to be vulnerable again.

Last month: the woman told people she could not imagine walking the Camino without her dog.

Last year: the woman told her husband she needed to walk the Camino as part dealing with her loss.

Six years ago: the woman surprisingly became aware again of her abuse as a child.

For more than forty years: the woman was successful, in control, achieving in business, raised a family. Friends know her as strong, loving, beautiful.

Some forty years ago: a little girl was hurt.

The woman and her dog slept in an abandoned building on the streets of an unfamiliar city, taking shelter during afternoon rain.

Did the dog fail to protect her from her fears of vulnerability? Or was the dog the gift that reintroduced her to vulnerability’s strength?

I hope to greet again this pilgrim, before I leave this Camino.

 

Now today’s coordinates:

Departed 06:30, ~18+ miles to Najera, arrived @12:30. Not bad.

This day all alone. Passed some, knew none. Huervos and chorizo, and a Skype call to kids. Lodging tight with the May Day holiday. Might should have booked ahead.

Walking alone – or after 8 days – is harder; sore feet, knees, everything between.

Bread, water, cucumber, and energy bar, along the way. Forced rest from 1-3 when Aubergue opens. Sun on my toes. Left middle toe purpler.

People in town. Great salad meal with Catherine, Hans, Rohe. Others came by … good recovery evening.