Future Vision Or Just A Dream?

BAM! It just has to hit you like that - sometimes. Our original three year timeline for our return to the Camino - constantly being altered. Fall 2017 has come and now rapidly turning into winter. So here is what has happened since my last post.  The leg causing all the delays did not get better as hoped. We returned from Arizona in May thinking that things had improved. A twelve day trip to Italy with fourteen family members made it very clear that my condition was getting worse - not better. Once back home we went to my eighth? maybe ninth doctor - only to discover that the cartilage that was damaged in the hip was now completely gone.  The doctor commented something to the effect that - of course you have pain - you are bone on bone. 

A few more visits to the surgeon and picking a date for surgery which would not interfere with a pilgrimage we were leading to Portugal - Spain - France in early November forced us to delay surgery until the end of November.  It has now been sixteen days post surgical and I am on the way to complete healing - in another four to six weeks. Back to square one - waiting - healing - getting well enough to restart training. New revised schedule possibly late summer or fall of 2018.  That could also get delayed - frustrated - yes - lost hope - no. As long as the rest of my body stays healthy there is always hope that we will return to walk parts of the Camino we missed the first time around. 

Fatima - Lourdes Pilgrims

In the meantime we rejoice in the fantastic pilgrimage we led to Fatima - Lourdes. As a bonus we got to stop in Burgos where I had the privilege of preaching the homily for Mass in the Cathedral. It was great to see the Cathedral again and even better to function as a deacon while we were there. With the average age of 70+ of the group this was not a walking pilgrimage - but a pilgrimage just the same. 

The journey continues.  If your own pilgrimage is suffering from a few bumps and obstacles - hang in there - it will happen - in God's time.

Buen Camino

Dale & Arlene

Return To The Camino On Hold - Still

It has been months since our last update - the time spent visiting doctors and physical therapists. It is now mid April 2017 and I am not one step closer to returning to the Camino. Of course this is frustrating - life does go on. Having spent a month in 2013 walking from Pamplona to Santiago did teach us a few things - patience was one of them. My leg is somewhat better - still not able to walk long distances. At this stage in my life at 71½ years old I have to accept the simple fact that I am alive - fairly well - if you don't consider the struggle walking long distances and after all is said and done the alternative i.e. death is not attractive. 

At least while in Arizona I have mountains right next to me - in fact I have a house on top of the Sierra Estrella Mountains and this is the view I get occasionally - just to remind me that beauty exists even here in the States. 

Buen Camino
Dale & Arlene