Day 13-15: France to DFW!
Day: 13-15, Miles Today: 0.0, Total Miles: 119.84
My Camino is Complete, and I am full of Joy
As I mentioned earlier, Friday was a long day of walking and thinking about my journey. I had many competing thoughts and feelings about pilgrimage, perseverance, purpose, mission, call, love,… The list goes on. Mostly, how far did I want to go. All the way to the Atlantic, or would I stop sooner?One of my hiking companions, I think it was Pascal from Canada, mentioned the scene from Forrest Gump where he had been running back and forth across America. Then one day he just stopped. It was time. I liked that idea. I’d just know when it was time.
“I think I’ll Go Home Now”
Irene (or Morpheus)
A day or two later, I met my dear nurse friends over a drink in Golinhac. As I described my thoughts and feelings, Irene from Hong Kong spoke up. She looked at me, and with complete seriousness and immense insight, simply said, “You must choose.”I looked at her a little confused, and she repeated, “You must choose. Are you a traveler or a family man?”
And in that instant, I knew in my heart that my place was with my wife and family more than on the Camino.
“You Must Choose”
Mary, my wife: “You have clarity.”
I considered that conversation as I finished my walk that day. It made a lot of sense to me and I was comfortable with my decision. When I got to the Gite, I called Mary. I needed her insight to cut short the plan I had worked on for so long and her wisdom to judge if I was being rash.
To my surprise, emotions welled up in me and I struggled to talk through the tears. I still don’t know why. But as I shared all my thoughts and desires, Mary simply said “You have clarity. Come home.”
And in that instant, I knew again in my heart that my place was with my wife and family more than on the Camino.
Going Home
Getting to Dallas is another adventure. On Saturday , I had to take a bus from Conques to Rodez and get a hotel in Rodez. Then on Sunday I took the train (7+ hours) to Paris. I’ll spend Monday as a tourist in Paris and fly home on Tuesday.
Palm Sunday
I attended Palm Sunday Mass in Paris at Basilique du Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre, one of my favorite churches in all the world. It was so beautiful.
Pilgrimage
“Come apart, up on the mountain with Jesus! Come to him, to return to your daily lives, refreshed and assured of his love. “I don’t know where I found this quote about pilgrimage , but I love it. And it is so true in my case. I feel that I talked to Jesus more in the last 2 weeks than in the previous 62 years combined.
And what did Jesus say to me? My great insight from all this prayer and searching is so simple. He said “be still and feel my love.” That has huge implications for the rest of my life.
Further insights, goodbyes, …
I plan to ponder this amazing journey for a few days. Once I’m home, I intend to share my reflections and say goodbye to my Camino family. And to express my gratitude to God, Mary, family, friends, and France for the adventure of a life time.
This was truly amazing!
Buen Camino.
Come home ❤️
ReplyDeleteOh wow - didn’t see that coming!
ReplyDeleteMe either.
DeleteSee you soon! Buen Camino it is!
ReplyDeleteMicheal,
ReplyDeleteI can understand why you were missing your family. I too got profoundly homesick toward the end of my Camino and I cut mine a few days short.
On my Canada Pilgrimage from Montreal to Quebec City I “punted” halfway through. Mainly because it wasn’t as I expected it to be. And at my age I am trying to be more decisive about what I do.
I certainly enjoyed following your daily post ~from the comfort of my recliner- just before or after my daily Wordle session challenge!
This must have been a hard decision for you and even though it came as a surprise to many, you obviously had plenty of time to ponder the matter and make the right decision.
Buen Camino my friend,
Greg
The Camino did it's work on your heart just as it is meant to do. You are blessed to not be a selfish man but a selfless man of God. The next day of your lifes pilgrimage has already begun with family and friends for life. I look forward to sharing our walk together. Buen Camino. See you soon. God bless.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're coming home brother. Looking forward to seeing you in the mornings again.
ReplyDeleteWe’ve known each other a while and I have never had cause to doubt your heart. We pray for guidance, for wisdom. If you’ve been blessed with any bit of either, then - well you must decide.
ReplyDeleteWe're so happy for you Michael to have followed your dream on the Camino; growing your faith and following your heart back home. I like to say that we're so blessed with FAITH, FAMILY and FRIENDS. Looking forward to seeing you and hearing more of your faith journey. Blessings and safe travel back. Happy Holy Week!
ReplyDeleteSo does this mean that we no longer will see pics of your feet? or even on the dash of a vehicle? Ever? I'm ok with it if you are!
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean I have to give back your EM slots? Ha!
ReplyDeleteYour walk with Christ is not over….just changing locations. There is work to be done everywhere….and family ministry, specially leading your domestic church, is as important, and as valuable, as any ministry going. May your heightened sense of the “ministry of presence” serve you well going forward. God Bless You Brother!!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your journey - I love the comment "your walk with Christ is not over..just changing locations!
ReplyDeleteWell today I stumbed across your card and figured I would check in. I’ve spent the past 30 minutes reading through your blog and what comes across so well is your appreciation on the simpler things in life, your reflection, and your growth. It was a great read and I’m happy that you had this opportunity to step into your next chapter! I wasn’t expecting you to have completed your journey, but as you grappled with that decision it is clear that you chose the right time for you to come home. Congrats and welcome home!
ReplyDelete