June 1st, 2018 - The Hardest Day

On this day in 2018, I set out on the trip of a lifetime with my sons Michael (18yo) and Gregory (16yo). We had traveled to St. Jean Pied de Port to begin our walk by way of Paris and Lourdes France. For months, we prepared our minds, bodies, and equipment to answer a simple question..."Will you walk with me?". Yes Lord, we will walk with you.

Reflection (from June 1st, 2018). Our CaminoToday was the single most difficult day of my life, physically and mentally. It was also one of the most beautiful. We climbed out of St. Jean and crossed over the Pyrenees. I believe we covered 18 Miles.

Metaphorically, it was our lives as a spiritual progression. Front the outset, 90% of the trek was uphill. Some easy areas, some steeper and more challenging. There was a period of great fellowship along “the way”. After battling uphill. We arrived at the last 10%, downhill all the way, and it hurt. I’m not complaining, but just describing that the last 10% really hurt as our toes rammed the front of our shoes for over 5 kilometers. We prayed that the Lord would hold off the rolling storms creeping up on us (and He did). Along the way, there were superhuman efforts to help each other and make each other hurt less. We carried one another, and encouraged one another to dig deep and just keep moving towards the finish line.

My younger son had been indecisive about making the journey. As he waivered back and forth prior to our departure date, the opportunity to strengthen his body and feet had closed. 12 miles into this very demanding walk, his body and mind were at their end. I began offloading equipment from his pack to make the way easier on him. As we progressed down the path his exhaustion continued stealing his ability to continue. As we began our descent into Roncevalles, I took his pack and slung it onto the front of my chest so that we could lock arms and get him safely down the mountain.

When we got close to the end. There was a refreshing, running brook with healing waters running along side us. The water cooled our feet and spirits. We saw the beauty of the flowers along the stream welcoming us with life and color. At the end, we passed through this very narrow gate as we entered the Refugio. We had arrived.

Along the way, especially in the last 4 kilometers. We prayed fervently, offered up all the pain, and knew that peace and relief was just around the corner. It was so hard, but it was so worth it, just like a life well lived.

With much love to the people at home, and much hope in what is yet to come, we say #buencamino