Here I am again in an albergue after another beautiful days walk. I walked 24k, starting off in the fog and finishing under beautiful clear blue skies. From now on I think the most interesting part, though, will be the people I have gotten to know along the way. I just got back from the grocery store and met 6 or 7 people in the two blocks between the store and the albergue who knew my name and asked how my day was. We are all focused on Santiago, which is only 63k away. I will walk 27, 26 and 20 and be in Santiago. I have a reservation in a hotel and can´t wait to sleep alone, on fabulous sheets, take a bath if I feel like it, walk around naked in my room, sleep till ten if I feel like it, leave my backpack in the room and float around the town. I want to show my creditiale that I have had stamped every night and be certified as a genuine pilgrim. I can´t wait to hear my name read in the Cathedral after mass. I want to go to communion.
This has been very hard and very rewarding every day. I will miss it and at the same time am so happy it´s almost over.
( oh my god. The shoop shoop song is playing in this bar!!! Cher´s version, the one I practiced with for Erika and Alison´s weddings. I want to get up and sing. But where are my backup singers?)
I have tried to send emails to you guys and they are getting returned so here are some messages.
Ginny-please make and appointment for me and make it long. I need a lot of work and I want to talk your ear off.
Paul- ASAP I should have a fat test done. I don´t think I have a lot left. At least it´s as low as it will ever be. I want a record of this moment in time.
( I have a funny bra story to tell but maybe this is not the time.)
Rita- My spirits told me you are coming home for an early thanksgiving. Is that true? I would love for all of my sisters to be together to celebrate.
Oscar- I haven´t had a butterfly kiss for so long, do you still give them? I want one please.
Mary M.- I think I understand the idea of non-attachment now. I want to talk with you about that when I get home.
Alison- I have thought of the Four Agreements often on this walk. Maybe I´ve learned that too.
Erika- I have drawn some and love it. I want you help me get better.
Anna- Thanks for your note. I thank your mom and dad everyday for sending me here.
Barb P.- walks along the river sound perfect to me. Whenever you want to go call me.
OK. I think that is all for now.
With love to you all,
Mom-Nonna-Mary
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8 comments:
You're definitely on the home stretch. I feel like I'm there watching you in a race and clapping. "Hey, Mary, you're almost there!" It would be fun to be in the church at Santiago and cheer when your name is announced.
See you soon--- I'm excite about seeing you Nov. 1. You must look fabulous. Well, maybe after your bath and long sleep on the nice sheets, and Ginny's handiwork!
But I bet you look stunning already!
Love,
Maggie
PS: I hear those spirits calling Rita also.
You made it with flying colors! I am so looking forward to more stories about this great adventure. You sound so strong now, as if the walking is incidental to all the other challenges, like sleeping in a noisey crowd. I am so proud of what you have achieved. Bask in your glory!
Love,
Barb
Mary - It's been an adventure, a wonderful trip just to to read this along with you. I wonder if you have any idea HOW amazing what you've just done even is!! We look forward to hearing all about it. Are slide talks in church basements a possibility? I know where there's one we can fill in Stockholm!
Congratulations!
Pat (Wally too)
Cara Maria,
What an amazing journey you have had. One of the first things I did upon our return was to check you blog. Can't wait to talk to you. un abbraccio forte, Susan
Mary,
I loved your comment that one of the things you will miss is the people. It must be pretty amazing to be walking through a country, in a new town each night, and yet find yourself recognizing people, new friends made along the way.
It's a little different, but it's one of the things I miss from living in Spain. Things were just a little slower than in my life in Minneapolis. Not only did the shopkeepers know me, they knew our kids, they knew my neighbors, my friends. Shopping could take all morning because it often include a cup of coffee and chat with a friend or two! At the time it didn't seem very efficient, but now I realize it was aboslutely civilized.
I'm looking forward to seeing you when you get home! (We won't be making it to Alison's roller girl debut - Kilian's soccer team has their state tournament in Rochester the same weekend...)
We'll all be cheering for you as you enter Santiago.
Besos,
Anna.
I'm thinking you must be there now! I'm thrilled for you, pilgrim! And speechless. We were pretty far up north this last weekend where the band performed a sit-down concert. The theatre was freezing; for 2 days Troy and I were in and out. The weather was sunny and cool. I kept thinking it must be similar for you. But the nights were hovering around freezing, too cool to out for too long. Well, you're hanging out in those sheets now and exploring town/mass and all your new friends. Astonishing isn't it? Can't wait to see you, my ears are ready. I'll send you an email this week. We'll be leaving town Friday morning for about 5 days, I know that you're so anxious to get back to your family. I'll hope to connect with you early next week after you get your bearings. I always forward my business phone to my cell, so you ca reach me any time. You Go Pilgrim! Catch you later. Ginny
Sweet Sister Mary,
I am so proud of you and happy for you. I ran across this poem by Mary Oliver and it asked to be posted on your blog!
Hugs and love,
Rita
The Journey
One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began—
Though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advise.
The whole house began to tremble, and you felt the old tug at your ankles.
“Mend my life,” each voice cried, “mend my life.”
But you didn't stop, you knew what you had to do—
Though the wind cried with it's stiff fingers at the very foundations,
Though their melancholy was terrible.
It was already late enough on the wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones.
But little by little as you left their voices behind,
The stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds.
And there was a new voice, which you slowly recognized as your own,
That kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world,
Determined to do the only thing you could do,
Determined to save the only life you could save.
—Mary Oliver
Sweet Sister Mary,
I am so proud of you and happy for you. I ran across this poem by Mary Oliver and it asked to be posted on your blog!
Hugs and love,
Rita
The Journey
One day you finally knew what you had to do, and began—
Though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advise.
The whole house began to tremble, and you felt the old tug at your ankles.
“Mend my life,” each voice cried, “mend my life.”
But you didn't stop, you knew what you had to do—
Though the wind cried with it's stiff fingers at the very foundations,
Though their melancholy was terrible.
It was already late enough on the wild night, and the road full of fallen branches and stones.
But little by little as you left their voices behind,
The stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds.
And there was a new voice, which you slowly recognized as your own,
That kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world,
Determined to do the only thing you could do,
Determined to save the only life you could save.
—Mary Oliver
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