Friday, June 18, 2010

Cacabelos

This monument was placed at the Ponferrada albergue in memory of a Finnish bicyclist who was killed here in 2001. I have seen many such memorials along the way. We just passed a small town where once upon a time you could receive a "mercy compostela" if you were too weak or sick to make it over the Ocebreiro mountain peak. Although not the highest point, it is a very steep slope to climb. We hope to tackle it the day after tomorrow. From there it will be about 100 miles to Santiago. Every day we become more impatient to reach our goal. It is now within our grasp!
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5 comments:

  1. I feel the lightness in your heart and step, as end comes in sight. The joy of the accomplishment and the meaning of it all. Though you go up hill, I feel that you are gleefully rushing towards the finish. All of your admirers give you the universal energy of love and and determination. We are with you!!
    Love, Leslie

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  2. You certainly make us all think about the bigger path of eternity and it very evident that your 5 months of training and preparation are paying off in spades. We would have to have the emotional capacity of a stone not to feel the fervor in your words. Leslie said it just right. Also you now remind me of the words from Paulo Coelho as he wrote in the Alchemist, "At a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what's happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate. That's the world's greatest lie." And, "To realize one's destiny is a person's only obligation." For so many of us, you are leading the way. GO-GIRL-GO!

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  3. I believe that it is a given our destiny is one part of the equation. What we do, in turn, with it, is how we form our daily lives. Bev, you have been given many obstacles and miracles. And you have controlled the lot you are being given with brilliant decisions to make it all right for you. This sharpening of the process will bring a new chapter to your everyday life in Kentucky and wherever the future takes you. Exciting chapter of your life. xo Leslie

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  4. Bev I wanted you to know that the pilgrim benediction you quoted was inspiring to me, so I printed it on a 3X5 card and have it posted over my test station. (Two reasons) 1 because it is a challenge for me to walk closer to God; 2 it was to be a reminder to be in prayer for you through out the day. As the day progressed what a joy it was to be in the attitude of prayer and then something happened, one of the people I work with whom shall we say could make a fleet of sailors blush walked past me and for some reason I looked at her and spoke to her telling her “You know what? God loves you.” She just looked at me but for the rest of the day she seemed to be just a little calmer. That is not something I would normally just come out and say to one of my coworkers. Maybe it was because of my attitude at the time or may be it was because of St Flue’s prayer. Upon a little research I find that he is credited with arbitrating between the divided parties’s of the Swiss Government in 1480 preventing blood shed by the threat of a Civil war. Thanks again for allowing us to travel along with you on this journey. Marvin

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  5. Marvin, thanks for the research on this St. Nicholas. I heard a bit about how Switzerland was formed from a Swiss pilgrim. The various cantons were tired of their countries' fighting each other and wanted no part of it. I'm curious about this civil war that almost happened.

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