I heard about the phenomenon of a camino family before I ever left Germany. It refers to those people who keep showing up at the same stops as you and with whom you start to form a bond as you walk, eat, and do life. I was excited when I felt I already had it in the form of Daniela and Andrea and a couple of peripheral people by Day three. Nothing bonds women quite like crying over each other´s stories. However, Andrea slipped behind, and Daniela pulled way ahead, and before I knew it, I was a camino orphan again, though never for long.
Over the past week, five men (yes, I was the token female and could have been all their daughters) encircled my life: Thiery (F), Don (NL), Matt (USA), Kevin (CAN), and the colorful and wonderful Jack (N. IRE). We never walked together, but each morning, they would pass me cheerfully, and each evening, one or several of them would pull up a chair for me at the table. We covered topics ranging from travel to music to feet woes to the Spanish civil war to families to soccer, the last of which I was the supplier in stats and updates using my tablet.
So it was actually kind of emotional last night to have to say good-bye knowing I´ll probably never see them again since I´m skipping the middle section. My heart felt a little nauseated at the thought of having to start over again at building a camino family, especially when farther down the road, you expect people to already have theirs. I don´t want new people; I just want to bring the old ones with me.
Funny, that is exactly what I said a couple of weeks ago in the midst of the many good-byes at BFA. The camino seems to be mirroring life more than I care for it to. This morning then, as I marched the short trek into Burgos, became another exercise in placing my trust in God. Do I believe he knew the route my camino would take before I started? Do I have faith he´ll provide the perfect people with whom I can connect, build family, and even finish in Santiago? Do I trust he can do the same for my time in the states over the next eight months?
The Custer curse - big hearts that love deeply. That and lost luggage. I'm so proud of you.
ReplyDeleteFor your orphan heart: Psalm 36:7-9
Ah! This year back in the States, my church family welcomed me in so much, now I'm dreading leaving and starting over again. I can't wait to see you again, and I look forward to "walking" with you for part of the upcoming year!
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