❤ HOME ❤

It took over 20 hours, including a bus trip and 3 flights, but I'm HOME and really happy to be here. 

It has been wonderful to see my awesome kids, start to get back in touch with my friends,  pet my dogs and enjoy my peaceful home and garden. Although everything is essentialy the same as when i left, it somehow feels fresh and different. Relationships seem more precious, I'm more aware of the wondrous beauty all around me, i feel calmer and more grounded, and  suddenly the conveniences and luxuries ive always taken for granted feel new and special!  

I was very excited to go for my first run since I left for Paris over six weeks ago... I figured I'd feel like flying without my heavy duty hiking boots and a 20 lb pack on my back...

However, I felt pretty much the same as before, except slower... But it was a beautiful run around my neighbourhood, and it was certainly much greener and warmer than before I left for Europe!  In fact, it felt a lot like the Camino.  It was lush, colourful, smelled wonderful and the birds were cheering me on!  I even found myself greeting the chicadees with "hola"!

So life has resumed it's natural, easy rhythm for me at home.   And it's even better than it was before I left. 

I think I'll end my Camino journal here.  This blog has exposed my heart to I-Don't-Know-Who, and now it's time to focus on the people in front of me.

Thank you for reading it, and I wish you all peace.

I'll leave with a poem that I think does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of the Camino:

The Prayer of La Fabo

Although I may have travelled all the roads,
crossed mountains and valleys from East to West, 
if I have not discovered the freedom to be myself,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have shared all of my possessions
with people of other languages and cultures;
made friends with Pilgrims of a thousand paths,
or shared albergue with saints and princes,
if I am not capable of forgiving my neighbour tomorrow,
I have arrived nowhere. 

Although I may have carried my pack from beginning to end
and waited for every Pilgrim in need of encouragement, 
or given my bed to one who arrived later than I,
given my bottle of water in exchange for nothing;
if upon returning to my home and work, 
I am not able to create brotherhood
or to make happiness, peace and unity,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have had food and water each day,
and enjoyed a roof and shower every night;
or may have had my injuries well attended,
if I have not discovered in all that the love of God,
I have arrived nowhere.

Although I may have seen all the monuments
and contemplated the best sunsets;
although I may have learned a greeting in every language;
or tried the clean water from every fountain;
if I have not discovered who is the author
of so much free beauty and so much peace,
I have arrived nowhere.

If from today I do not continue walking on your path,
searching for and living according to what I have learned;
if from today I do not see in every person, friend or foe
a companion on the Camino;
if from today I cannot recognize God,
the God of Jesus of Nazareth
as the one God of my life,
I have arrived nowhere.

My running route around my 'hood

my backyard did just fine without me!!!

My Favourite Running Partner, Talullah (tho I think she was out of shape!)