This morning we headed out early to have breakfast at the next village. It was 7 kms. And our breakfast was so great. Noël had two fried eggs with bacon, tomato, toast, fresh orange juice and coffee. I had the same without bacon and a coffee con leche. The woman was so welcoming. After we sat down more pilgrims came in and the place was packed.

After breakfast we started out of town and saw a figure in the distance. It was someone wearing a protective vest like many workers wear in Spain. We couldn’t tell if he was cleaning or he was a pilgrim. As we got closer we realized that it was a very old man taking baby steps along the road with a walking stick. As we approached him I noticed his hand shaking. As we were about to pass him he looked at us and wished us Buenas Dias. We wished him the same. The cemetery was very close to where he was so I wondered if he was going to visit someone.

My heart overflowed at that moment. And I just started sobbing. I wondered what he was doing alone, if he was missing someone. Noël thought it might be his daily routine to get out for a morning walk.

As I have mentioned the Meseta draws you inward to think and ponder and maybe resolve. It strengthens you on a mental level. So as I walked today I thought of so many of my loved ones, family and friends who are struggling with grief, illness, challenges, disappointments, etc. And I began naming you one by one with each step I took. I then began to think of others not struggling but enjoying life and its wonders. And I began naming you one by one with each step.

I felt so close to so many people even though the distance is real. So thank you for helping me walk today. It was a beautiful and healing day for me.

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