Subtitle: Is She Loosing It?
Point me the right way, every morning, and I'll walk.
I simply need a little direction.
October 20, 2014
'Life is like a tapestry. Sometimes you can't see the whole picture until you stand back'.
Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx
I found this quote in a magazine when I got home from Spain. It appealed to me the instant I read it, and it seems so true. The closer we are to the issue, the less we are able to see it. One small problem can get blown out of proportion because we tend to focus on it. Once we step back from a problem, we are in a better position to observe the whole.
My 2014 resolution was to be 'more in the moment'. To some degree, I've been successful. I've been more attentive to discussions and try to not anticipate my response. I've watched more sunrises with awe, harvested wheat fields with joy and tried, really tried, to pay attention to the moment and be in the moment. For me, it is a challenge. My mind wanders easily. Perhaps my resolution should have been to be more focused.
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Balance is something to strive for. To do that, focus is needed.
We saw hundreds of little balancing monuments during our journey. |
During our way in Spain, it was far easier to be 'with the moment'. The worries and concerns of each day were focused on our bodies, our path and where we would sleep when our walking was done. Releasing most other commitments I have at home wasn't as big of a challenge as I thought it would be. Staying in the here and now was a breeze, because I didn't have any other responsibilities. From the solitary beauty while crossing the Pyrenees, to the moment we arrived at the Santiago cathedral, my ability to focus was fine tuned.
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| Above the fog, in the Pyrenees. |
My shoulder muscles relaxed, even with the backpack. As I assimilate into my post Camino life, I find my neck and shoulders tensing. Back to responsibility. I must learn to find a balance. 'Let go and let God'.
Can I come up with a good ending for this entry? Not really. These are just random thoughts that are processing while I adjust to real life. My life after walking and experiencing the Camino. I feel this rambling may be the beginnings of my personal reflections, based upon any wisdom I may have gained while on our 500 mile stroll across Spain.
October 21, 2014
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Strive on. Walk on. Push through.
All of these accomplished, along with a sense of accomplishment
for each mountain crossed. |
Ah HA. I just figured it out (so much for wisdom). The ibuprofen that we bought in Spain is 600 mg. What we buy in the states is 200 mg. I was taking one tablet in Spain. That's like three tablets here. No WONDER I was able to walk that much.
It doesn't seem real, sometimes. John and I walked 500 miles. The aches and pains are real enough, but I don't think the entire magnitude is what we accomplished has completely settled in my brain yet. John has probably suffered some nerve damage in his feet, that he may never recover from. As for me, the arthritis has just reared it's ugly head. Quick...grab the ibuprofen, Spain style.
October 23
The way grace and goodness weaves itself around our lives astounds me. This evening I was pondering the people we have had in our lives, and am simply amazed. God has overwhelmed with such blessings. From our friends and family at home to friends we met on the Camino, our family and friends on the mainland and the countless couch-surfers we have hosted. Or perhaps a complete stranger, just living his day, has made a kind gesture. People I have meet and enjoyed all weave their lives with mine, and many don't even know it.
I consider:
- Two women from New Zealand who are stunt actors with many movies to their credit. We met the first night in Orisson, again in Roncesvalles and then we figured they gone. There was no way we could keep up with stunt actresses, but our paths crossed again in Carrion and Leon. We made a connection with these two women and there is a reason our paths kept crossing. Someday we may see the reason.
- A young woman from Montana gave me a tennis ball in Logrono. Tennis balls are used for rolling under feet, on shoulder blades or any body part that need some help realigning.
- The German bicyclist going on a pilgrimage from his small hometown. He was riding a two speed bicycle loaded with 50kg of supplies. Our conversation was brief, but many times in my journey after meeting him, I had thoughts on how he was doing. He showed me his daily scripture lessons, in German, and told me of a family member who works at University of Hawaii.
- A shepard playing with his sheep dogs, who tossed me a friendly wave in answer to mine.
- Two men, who took it upon themselves to feed the people of El Camino. We were blessed to be counted among their legions of well fed pilgrims on two occasions. We were blessed having the opportunity to have them in our lives.
- Marcy, from Philly. A women with an incredible smile and an attitude to match. Marcy was another who I felt we must had lost, but popped up a number of times.
- There were many mother and daughter combos who were off on their adventures together.
- The Spaniard, Marcus, had no English, and my Spanish is poor, but it was great cooking together in some of the albergues we were in with him. We met up with him in Santiago and stood near him in line waiting for our Compostellas.
- Ben from Montreal, who was drinking coffee at every stop and stayed in the same Albergue we did numerous times.
My mind then lingers on the countless people we have met through couch surfing, travel and our day to day living, who have made our lives richer.
These are the mindless ramblings of a woman who is wondering when the rain will stop, as there are seeds that need to be planted for our vegetable garden.
October 28, 2014
After gritting his teeth and dealing with significant feet and leg pain during our pilgrimage, John has come home to a horribly inept medical system. Mostly, it's an issue of the quality of care. We have a great family doctor who has worked his way up in our 'doctor rating system'. Perhaps we are better patients now too, having learned to do plenty of research before appointments. The Doc understands our walking and the need to finish. When John was dealing with some depression after his dad died, this doctor told him to do something to commemorate Mert. This was the seed that John needed. No tree planted, as the doc suggested. Yes on the tattoo (Doc really liked the Camino tats we have). And sure John, let's move El Camino up on the bucket list.
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John, contemplating the goats in the field beyond the
hostel we were staying in. |
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John was referred to an ancient podiatrist who hasn't read a medical journal in three decades. Kinesiology tape. What's that? Advil topical. What's that? The list could go on. This was just the beginning of the medical saga that I shan't bore anyone with. Needless to say, it's been a stressful and frustrating day for him. Make that two days. Maybe a week, since shortly after we got home.
November 1, 2014
All Saints Day
Remember, there are saints in our lives everyday. These saints haven't been canonized, but just flow though our lives and often don't know they have made an impact. I try to keep an eye out for them.
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St James. Santiago. Full of spunk, ready to take on the Moors.
Give me my cell phone and I too, can take on anyone.
Even the medical challenges of the Big Island |
After John's encounter with the ancient podiatrist, who told him to take Advil and come back in a month, I've finagled him into an appointment with the top orthopedic surgeon on the island. This fellow is the chief physician for Ironman and chief medical officer for the Olympic Games in triathlon. John drove to Kona yesterday for an MRI. Why Kona? It takes forever to get into the MRI in Hilo and the equipment in Kona is much newer. He gets to go back to Kona this Thursday to see the doc.
Many people have asked John why he pressed on during our pilgrimage. There were many hours of walking, in quite some pain, that John knew he would make it. He knew that, once he got home, he would get proper medical attention. I asked him often, 'want to stop?' or 'time for a doc?', and the answer was always 'no'. That he pushed on and now is feeling like he's falling apart is heart wrenching. The obsticals are neverending. And cumbersome.
Again, an entry with no conclusion. I don't think there will be a conclusion until John gets some relief. Right now, resolving the cause of his pain is my main concern.
