On the Camino - day 6

Rua to Santiago

I enjoyed finding my walking rhythm today 1-2-3-4 counting steadily. Just taking steps one after another in silence through a woods of wonder. Then we came upon Walter – the gray bearded man in khakis, a patterned sweater, floppy hat, a long scarf draped around his neck down to his knees. He sat by the path with words of peace and curiosity printed among burning incense. Quiet wisdom emanated from him and his soft soulful eyes seemed to look straight into your Being. Walter sat on the path to give hugs. When it was my turn, we stood gazing into something beyond ourselves. He was gentle. Strong. His breathing set a pace for my own. My body softened, my head dropped, I wept. The oddness of being hugged by a stranger melted away and held no strangeness at all.

It is a unique and sacred moment to feel seen by someone who has never laid eyes on me before, to feel wholly accepted just for being. Once again this journey defies words. How does one share what is so fully felt? This indeed is the love of the universal Christ as I understand it – whole, healing, inclusive.

The rest of the journey bathed in this rich moment, sustaining me on the ‘longest mile’ into Santiago until we stopped before the cathedral. But the ornate majesty of the cathedral paled in comparison to the majesty of sacred moments on the way.