I live in the northwestern half of Washington State in a land of tall trees and cold seas where, for a few weeks a year, I feel dangerously close to slipping into a darkness-filled slump. With the addition of low-slung clouds and the threat of rain, the days feel deceptively short and the nights ... Read More >>
gratitude
The Kids’ Table
My family’s Thanksgiving feast changes each year as different faces grace the table. People move away, pass away, get married, and age, and squirrelly children become vibrant young adults. For as long as I can remember, my parents have welcomed and embraced anyone who walked through their front ... Read More >>
Camino Epilogue: World’s End
For many years a stand-in for the little bird that captured my son’s heart and brought light into our life has traveled with me everywhere I go. For the first time, as I gazed at the cathedral in Santiago, it became clear that it was time to pass her on to another pilgrim in this life. Frightful and ... Read More >>
Camino: Day 9.5 – Seeing with the Heart
Over 20 years ago my mom walked the Camino with three of her best friends. I was 29 at the time, raising a young family with no idea what life had in store for me. Each September after that, those same four women traveled together. And each year as I listened to the tales of their current adventure, ... Read More >>
Camino: Day 9 – First Sight
Our first glimpse from Monte do Gozo of the Santiago Cathedral in the city below brought tears. I found a beautiful spot to leave the Galician farmer's walnuts where they will have a stunning view of the city in the distance. Five more kilometers to go and the pilgrims are gathering en mass. We will ... Read More >>
Camino: Day 8 – The Eve of Santiago
Our little group of pilgrims ranges in age from 42-years-old to 80. We have bonded quickly because of our common experience. We no longer need to ask someone to pass the coffee pot in the morning. Instead, we reach for it, pour a cup for our neighbor, break bread in the basket, drop half on our ... Read More >>
Camino: Day 7 – Symbols
One pilgrim I passed today on my way through the town of Arzúa had a small gourd tied to his pack with a green shoelace. Another pilgrim had a ribbon with seven silver beads wrapped around the neck of a water bottle, and still another carried a tiny pair of baby shoes swinging from a zipper.Most ... Read More >>