On a Saturday, three weeks ago, my husband asked me what I’d like to do for my birthday later in the year. It’s a big birthday, and he thought we could start making plans. Without hesitation, I playfully blurted out, “I want to go to Disneyland!”
Travel
A brief conversation on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean became a lesson in life’s endless possibilities.
In the years I was teaching, when parents called to say their child would miss class due to travel, I cheered. Travel introduces us to change, cultures, cuisine, and teaches inclusion as it expands our universe.
Hawaii was a long-desired vacation destination of my parents. My memory is somewhat faded, like looking through frosted glass as I scroll back to the age of twelve. They returned from the islands excited to share their adventures and bearing gifts for me.
In a few days spring arrives. Spring opens the curtains and welcomes a fresh outlook, and a more expansive view comes into focus. With the drapes pulled back on spring, I begin to consider the year’s prospects: a trip, a new view of life, or a detour in nature.
“I’ve listened to your conversations at breakfast for three days. You never talk over each other. Amazing!” Our third day in Porto, Portugal, prior to our Camino walk, a fellow pilgrim who’d stayed at our hotel approached us as we began the Camino to share her observation.
A year ago, I considered walking the Portuguese Camino, an inkling that sparked after walking the John Muir Way in Scotland in 2019. I’d never considered a walking trip prior to that. When my friend asked me to join her in Scotland, I said, “I’ll go” before the thought had entered my head.
This morning, I drew a card from the Sacred Traveler Deck in preparation for our Portuguese Camino walk just days away.