Today I am grateful for the mobility I regained. It always surprises me how much mobility I have the next day when it feels like my body can’t move at all the night prior.

 

I am grateful for renewed strength, hope and for my body that continues to carry me forward. For my legs that make each step forward possible and for my feet that although only a small portion of my overall body, carry the entire weight of everything I am. Thank you feet, I am grateful for being able to see all of me in a renewed state and way more than before.

 

I am grateful for the group of friends I’ve made while being here while I walk. Although I most times walk alone, I always have them near to then meet up again and enjoy a meal or get some rest at some point. 

 

Antonio, Alejo and Raquel. 3 beautiful souls.

 

Antonio is an 82 year old man. And what I see in him is someone who has traveled a lot of life already. I believe he’s here to be reminded that he still matters and that he is alive. That his life is and will still touch and influence many more, like he has mine.

 

Alejo is a ball of energy. He has a certain joy to him that is contagious. But he also has a lot of pain in his heart. I believe he’s here to be reminded that he IS loved, and that although none of us are perfect, that he is more than worthy to be loved for who he is and the ways in which he will continue to grow along this journey we call life.

 

Raquel is a kind and beautiful soul (inside and out) I feel she’s lost sight of that in recent years and the negative forces have been at work to make her forget. All of that beauty that lies within her is greater and much more than any she could have ever carried on the outside. She cares deeply and speaks her heart, and although she is here for what I believe looking for meaning into what is next for her life, the more important lesson she has to be reminded of is that she is strong, and can do anything she puts her mind to.

 

I am grateful for the lesson she taught me while on the Camino. When we finally had a little time to walk side by side, since our other companions had to go back and find a restroom, we began talking. She said that this Camino would be transformative for me. And I believe it has been so far. She then went on to share with me the etymology of the word “Cris” from such things as crisis, chrysallis and even Christ. It means change, transformation. That transformation is always happening, and all we have to do is accept it.

 

I have been in my “cocoon” phase (chrysallis) and now I am ready to come out a transformed man and embrace the next phase of my life like a butterfly emerging into it’s final stage.

 

The butterfly has been widely considered a symbol of transformation, of hope and faith for thousands of years. The butterfly is also a symbol of rebirth, since it goes through so many life cycles. 

 

These cycles for me have not only been life stages, but at a micro level could also be the stages (etapas) of this camino. Each stage bringing me more understanding and reveleaing more about what’s next in my life.

 

Today was a bittersweet moment, since we shared one final meal together as Raquel would be staying here in Melide, and we would continue onward to Arzúa. There were a lot of hugs, tearful goodbyes and gratitude for the journey that we had experienced together so far. Her final message to us? Was charging Alejo and Antonio to ensure I made it to Santiago De Compostela because I had a “great” mission ahead of me and she wanted them to be my caretakers.

 

I am grateful for friends that become like family, and for the way in which all of us just want (and need) to love and be shown love. That’s what I want the most for every single person I meet.

 

Thank you for all the love.