Boente to Santa Irene (day 4): Keeping Company

It is true that the pilgrim can expect to find kindness, hospitality, and company along the Camino de Santiago.  People tend to make fast friends on this path through their shared experience of the Camino. 

The unexpected for me was my connection with my home community across 4500 miles, something I experienced as powerfully as if loved ones, also, were beside me on the path. 

Family and friends had written cards and notes of love and encouragement to me that I carried with me in a gallon Ziploc, opening and reading a few letters each day.  Such overwhelming love and care supported me as I journeyed on this Camino. 

I was also traveling with some small rocks brought from home.  Some were burden rocks that I would leave behind each day on the top of a majon (km marker).  One was a Christ rock, reminding me of the words of Colossians 1- this Christ that is before and in all things, over all things, and is the one who holds all things together.  I also had some rocks representing dear ones to me.  As I traveled with them, I would take turns holding each of their rocks, talking with them, praying for them, holding the Christ rock over them, immersing their rocks in fountains that were said to contain healing waters.  These dear ones were true companions with me along the Camino.  They helped remind me of our need for fellow pilgrims along this Camino called life. 

“True friends never apart maybe in distance but never in heart” – Helen Keller