Details

If it doesn't get written on a list, it probably doesn't get done. And boy, have there been a lot of lists! As soon as I scratch something off, two or three more things get added. There are just so many things to think about for a trip this long when you are single and have your own home, pets and a job that you are leaving behind!

As of yesterday, I think I have taken care of everything at work that I need to get done before I leave. Part of my role as a priest, as I understand it, is to ensure that ministry continues and the parish functions smoothly in my absence. I am to raise up lay leadership and ministry. Whenever I would return from a trip, my dear and beloved friend, Connie, whom we lost last year, used to say in her dry way, as only she could do, "We really missed you, but we did just fine." And it was exactly what I wanted and needed to hear. I knew she loved me and did indeed miss me greatly whenever I wasn't there (and likewise me her), but it meant that I had helped equip them for what they were to do and I had let go and let God, as they say. It also meant that everyone there had picked up the reins and carried on, just as they should. The timing is a little funny since I have a new assistant who is just arriving, but perhaps that's better for him, also. It gives him a nice slow time to get settled without me hovering. He can explore, work on the things we've talked about, get to know these folks, his new family, at his own pace, in his own way.

People have been so generous in their offers of help in a variety of forms. Two households have loaned us Spanish language lessons, several have offered equipment, one friend is taking care of my cats and house while I'm gone, another one or two are doing the yard for me. Another is taking me to the airport and one detail yet remaining is to ask someone to meet me when I get back and bring me home. Several people have given gifts towards the trip. It has been a surprise to me from the beginning how many other people are familiar with this pilgrimage and how many people have a sense that someday they want to do it. So a number of people want to participate in it vicariously through us, which is kind of neat. Thank you so much to all of you who are helping in so many ways!

With a trip this afternoon to return a couple of items and purchase one more, and then get a few smaller items for the first aid 'kit', I should at last have everything finalized and ready to pack. Then, between now and Tuesday when I leave, it is cleaning the house (just in case something happens to me, I don't want y'all to find the house a wreck!), doing the yard, paying all the bills and my quarterly taxes for June, some things with my mom and some social events, and oh yes, church tomorrow. It's hard to believe it is finally here after several years of thinking about it, reading about it, getting more serious about it, and finally preparing for it. The latest series of details have all been about how to get from the airport in Madrid to where we start. We take a bus from Madrid to Pamplona (remember the running of the bulls? Fortunately, we aren't there at the same time!), then from there a shuttle to St. Jean-Pied-du-Port just across the border in France. Mary's working that stuff out.

As I have mentioned to some of you in person, I am just fully whelmed at the moment. I don't think my brain can take in much more - between learning about hiking stuff (whole new world), upgrades in technology (netbook, wifi, global phone, blogging...), learning more Spanish, the Camino itself, I have reached my limit for this period of time of preparation. It is time to let it all sink in and just walk and walk and walk and let God take over for whatever purpose I am supposed to be doing this walk and enjoy the journey.