La Cruz de Ferro

Oct 4, 2014

Cruz De Ferro 

Oct 4, 2014

I'm lying in bed.  The wind is blowing and it's cold outside. John is in the bunk below me, snoring away. Even though we should be getting going (it's 6:15 AM) I let him sleep.  Today will be emotional for both of us. That little iron cross, on top of a big pole, symbolizes the opportunity to move on. Leave worries behind. 

My life has been blessed. There were deaths that tore my soul.  Today I leave something from my heart at Cruz de Ferro, as a opportunity to truly move on. With forgiveness. With blessings. With prayers. 

For the last 354 miles I've had a shell from Hat Island tied to my walking stick. The rhythmic clack of the shell has been a comfort, and today I will leave that shell at La Cruz de Ferro. My shell represents to me a previous life. My beloved husband, Scott, was the heart of Hat Island for me. He was the heart of my love and of our children. With that shell, I will not leave the love we shared at the top of a mountain, but I will continue move on. 

I've also been carrying one of the most beautiful pictures of my parents, taken only a few years before Daddy died. They were posing for their church directory and the photographer caught them on film, while they were goofing off. I miss them both so much and am so grateful for the life and love they gave me. We don't get to choose the family we are born into, and I was blessed when God plopped me into the Starkeys. 

My prayers today will be for my Simmons family; James, Woody, Rick, MaryAnn, Uncle Buddy. My prayers today will be for the Starkey family; Dee and Linda, Rick and Katie, Ed, Sami, Kristen. 

John just tapped me. He is ready to prepare for our morning. I'll continue my thoughts later today. 

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It's good to look back. See the path we have been on. See our mistakes. See our failures. See our joys. See our fears. From looking back we can learn. That is what today is. A day of blessings, heart felt thanks and an opportunity to thank God. 

I carry three other items on this journey that stay with me. Grandma Starkey's wedding band has been on my left hand since we left home. The rosary I bought when I was on a trip to Copper Canyon in Mexico with Aunt Pam and Uncle Dean. A scarf, given to me by Lisa Zukaitis. All of these people have deeply touched my life. Again, I feel blessed. All of these people were in my prayers today too.