Final Day of Work

As I've prepared for the Camino del Santiago I've watched videos, read blogs and articles on the journey.  In one of those (I don't remember which) the creator made the comment that the journey begins when you decide to do it.  I felt then, and I do now, that is an astute reflection.  When Sandy and I initially began talking about taking the sabbatical I thought about connecting it to the 30th Anniversary of my ordination.  It would be a good time to visit the places and congregations I've served.  We've discussed completing the Camino since we first met 12 years ago.  At the time the simple act of walking was important to both of us, for similar reasons.  Walking was one of the things we held in common.

Between 2005 and 2007 I'd found that walking gave me space to reflect.  In the midst of a divorce it provided an escape from the problems of my days.  It also gave time to think through the things that we happening and decide on next steps.  As an added bonus it was healthy, gave me lots of reasons to get outside and enjoy the constant changes of nature around me, time to pray, time to simply be.  Sandy, when we met, was a part of a walking group that gathered each Sunday morning at the Running Room.  They were good friends.  It was her community, her "church."  It was Sandy that talked about "doing the Camino."  Our relationship started around walking 1/2 marathons - Vancouver in 2008, Ottawa in 2009.  We walked to prepare.  We walked along Edmonton's river valley.  Over the decade since our relationship has shifted.  We still walk - Arnie, our dog, wouldn't allow us not to; but we've moved to bicycles and for the past few years our lives have centered around them.  The Way of St. James was a dream of Sandy's.  As the plan for a sabbatical began to form our plans started to come together.  

In little bits and pieces I've begun to think about the journey ahead.  We're cycling when most people walk.  We have hotel reservations when many rely on the hostels in towns along the way.  Sandy has made the physical plans for our time from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago.  We've thought together about the travel arrangements and our time before and after the Camino.  I prepared the plan for the church (posted earlier); and worked with Ministry Personnel to make the arrangements needed for the time away.  Today we're well along the path.

There's not much left to do at the church.  Yvonne and Daena are preparing for Sunday's worship.  I'm making sure that the questions for me are being answered and clearing up a few final things on my desk.  It's cleaner now than it's been for 10 years.  Tomorrow I'll pack; and Friday movement along the trail starts with an Uber ride downtown, a bus ride to Calgary and a flight to Paris.

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