The Way

Marina and I attended the Vernon International Film Festival last night, just to check out the Canadian Premiere of "Walking the Camino".

We first heard of the El Camino de Santiago or "The Way of Saint James" when we saw the Martin Sheen movie, "The Way". An amazing movie BTW.

I love this write-up that states:

The Camino de Santiago or the Way of St. James is a spiritual journey that pilgrims of all faiths and backgrounds have traversed for over a thousand years. The pilgrimage originally began at one’s doorstep, though modern trekkers today would find that rather difficult, particularly American pilgrims needing to cross the Atlantic. While there are a number of established routes leading to Santiago from all directions, the most popular is the Camino Frances, which crosses the Pyrenees Mountains along the Spanish-French border starting in St. Jean Pied de Port.

This Camino route covers 800 kilometers that traverses an idyllic northern Spanish countryside. By following the yellow painted arrows marking the road, a pilgrim can expect to walk 12-15 miles a day to reach the next town for the night. At this pace, a pilgrim can reach the Cathedral de Santiago in 6 to 8 weeks time to attend the Pilgrim's Mass held at noon each day. Some take more time, others less. Some choose to travel by bike, and some have done the Camino on horseback. Along the way travelers encounter albergues, refugios and casa rurals that cater specifically to the thousands of pilgrims of all ages that take this journey each year, immersing themselves in the local food, culture and history dedicated to this experience.

Pilgrims walk the Camino for various reasons. Some to seek penance, others enlightenment, and still others for a sense of adventure, yet all progress toward the Cathedral in Santiago where it is believed the remains of the apostle St. James are held. Most pilgrims choose to carry a scallop shell with them to symbolize their journey in honor of St. James. According to legend, scallop shells are said the have covered St. James’ body after it was found on the shores of the Galician coast. Another, perhaps more useful symbol is a walking stick to aid a weary pilgrim on his or her journey. Most pilgrims also carry a document called the credencial, purchased for a few euros from a Spanish tourist agency, a church on the route or from their church back home. The credencial is a pass which gives access to inexpensive, sometimes free, overnight accommodation in refugios along the trail. Also known as the "pilgrim's passport", the credencial is stamped with the official St. James stamp of each town or refugio at which the pilgrim has stayed. It provides walking pilgrims with a record of where they ate or slept, but also serves as proof to the Pilgrim's Office in Santiago that the journey is accomplished according to an official route. The credencial is available at refugios, tourist offices, some local parish houses, and outside Spain, through the national St. James organisation of that country. The stamped credencial is also necessary if the pilgrim wants to obtain a compostela, a certificate of completion of the pilgrimage.

Regardless of whether a pilgrim’s journey begins for religious, spiritual or cultural reasons, the meditative nature of the Camino offers the perfect landscape in which to dedicate contemplation. Pilgrims follow the path amidst the villages, towns, rivers, mountains and fertile valleys that have changed the lives of millions of pilgrims who walked before them.

Last night's documentary was a great look into the lives of 6 pilgrims...a little of their stories, and how they were changed by their pilgrimage.  We tried to get into the 7:45 showing, arrived early to get tickets, and discovered it was Sold Out!  They offered a second showing, unheard of for the Vernon Film Festival, and so we thought..."we're here...why not stay and just lounge around until 9:30?"  So we did....and loved the movie.

Sooooo...here's my plan, dream, bucket list item, or whatever.  I am soon to be 54 years old.  Lord willing, I would like to walk this when I am 60.  In 6 years.  I figured that would about the time I might have the freedom to leave and make this quest for about 6 weeks.  Our youngest will have graduated.

As is said about doing the Camino: "The Camino, by its nature, serves as the ultimate metaphor for life. Footsteps along a well-trodden path may be our guide, but do not shield us from the questions that most of our busy everyday lives prevent us at times from fully recognizing. The road offers very little to hide behind. The process of life is life along whichever road, path, Camino, or Way we find ourselves on. Our humanity toward ourselves and others, our history and our future is what defines us. Take the journey of life. Buen Camino!"

Personally, I think it would be great...very hard, but great.  Marina has some pause due to the physical difficulty.  But who knows?  It's nice to dream.  This is just one of my dreams...I'll leave this one up to God to both provide for and make happen.

And if not?  Perhaps one of my kids will read this and make the trip instead of me....and may their lives be changed!   Buen Camino!

"The devil got Stalin"

Growing up my grandmother would tell me the story of a conversation she had with my grandfather on the day Stalin died.

For the record, Stalin died on this day, March 5, 1953.

My grandmother went out to the orchard where my grandfather was working...at this time of year he was probably pruning.

She told my grandfather: "Paul, the devil got Stalin!". My grandfather's response was "No....we must never say that....it is not our place...it's up to God".

Imagine!  Here was a man who could have hated Stalin with a passion, given his entire family was shipped off to labour camps in Siberia..with no word if they were dead or alive.  And he still allowed the final decision about the fate of Stalin to be placed exactly where it should be...in the hands of God.

That keeps something my Dad used to say to me in perspective.  Dad was all about "Everyone has to answer for himself".  I saw my Dad live that out in his own life time and time again...even when he had good reason to be angry or upset over some way he was treated.

When my Dad was in the hospital for the last time, shortly before he died, folks would come and visit and if the discussions moved towards someone who had wronged him, he would still say...."Everyone has to answer for themselves."

These two men...my grandfather and father...I am in awe of them. How they lived their faith...no matter what.

Stuff

When both your parents are gone, the difficult task of going through "stuff", or personal posessions, has to take place.

I was starting to look at things and say "These don't belong to me, they're Mom's.  I don't want them!", or, "I shouldn't have these, they don't belong to me!".

Funny.  My sister was thinking the same.

We found the odd thing of Dad's too.  It's been rough.  Finally, everything was cleaned out of the apartment by February 13th. I guess it helps to have a deadline.

Embrace grief.  That's what I've been told. 

Both parents are gone now.  A strange feeling indeed.

And at the end of the day, I miss them both so much.