Feel the life that surrounds you – the feet that carved this trail, and the good things in life. All that is taken for granted, and all that is lost…

Letter #23 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 26-28: JW [Santiago de Compestella]   So here it is, the end of your long journey filled with the kind words of friends and loved ones, as well as blisters and smelly feet from the many miles left behind. You have both come …

Reflect on this journey…

Letter #22 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 25: AV [Finisterre]     Dear Jourdan, By now you most likely will almost be finished with the journey you embarked on a month ago. I have no doubt you have pushed yourself and your mother to the limits of exhaustion, maybe even sanity …

Sing at the top of your lungs and dance in the middle of the trail…

Letter #21 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 24: EA [Monte de Gozo to Santiago de Compestella, 5km]   Jourdan: Day 21. The 3rd last day of your journey. Well, your Camino journey at least. I have thought of this letter for quite some time. Written and rewritten it. I wanted something …

Contemplate your millisecond of time in this vast universe…

Letter #20 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 23: JB [Acra to Monte de Gozo, 15.1km]   Jourdan: To be opened at least 1.5 hours after last light of July 23 Dear Jourdan, First of all, I am typing this rather than printing it myself due to my HORRIBLE writing. I know …

Contemplate time…

 Letter #19 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 22: S&J A Peroxa to Acra, 15(ish)km Camino Task 19. July 22. S&J Dear Jourdan, "Seek to live at what musicians call 'temp gusto' which means... the right speed." What is time and why do we let it rule us? Live today without …

Ground yourselves and carry stones…

Letter #18 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 21: S&R [Boente to A Peroxa, 15(ish)km]   Cheryl & Jourdan First I want to say how lucky you are to be on such an amazing adventure TOGETHER… I would love the same opportunity with my daughters at some point. Today as you …

Find your Narrative…

Letter #17 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 20: CGS [Mato-Casanova to Boente, 14.7km] Good morning sweetheart! I'm sure your legs are feelings like rocks at this point, your muscles like cannons and your mind like jelly. Hang in there!! You're almost done! You and your mom should feel so proud …

Contemplate and Reconnect…

Letter #16 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 19: L&J [Hospital Alta da Cruz to Mato-Casanova, 19.2km (+1.5km to Albergue)]   Dear Cheryl and Jourdan, As I write this in the comfort of our prior townhouse it is 26ºC outside. We haven't turned on the air conditioner (remember what that is?) …

Look for need and be a beautiful stranger…

Letter #15 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 18: TG [Mercadoiro to Hospital Alta da Cruz, 16.8km] Jourdan, It's amazing where I find old, lined paper stashed about the house - and how little I have need of it these days. This particular paper I found in a duo-tang in the …

Be Happy…

Letter #14 of  The Camino de Santiago: Letters and Tasks along the Way July 17: MW [Sarria to Mecadoiro, 17km]   Hey Kid, So July 17th… you know, I struggled trying to figure out how I’d form this letter. It’s not any easy thing, this writing honestly bit. I can write fiction, or I can write professionally, …