Anticipation and emotion
The day has arrived without fanfare and fireworks. We are finishing as we started…in the rain. How poignant. We decided to leave earlier than usual to beat the “crowd”. It was a leisurely walk, the usual uphill climbs! But the thought of arriving at the magnificent place I had only dreamed about made the walk tolerable and even enjoyable.
Upon stepping onto the hallowed plaza, staring at the cathedral, a warm sense of accomplishment came from within. And then it hit me. I actually did it!
After snapping a few photos we quickly headed to the Pilgrim Office to get our number in line to show proof of our walk. We each carried a credential during the trek that we had stamped at hostels, coffee shops, and churches. A pilgrim must obtain two stamps per day and walk 100 kilometers to Santiago to qualify for a Compostela.
We were surprised to find a short line. My number was up and I approached the lady at the counter, hurriedly handing her my credentials. She smiled and in Spanish asked me my home country and Camino starting point. She glanced over my stamps. She added the most important stamp of all…Santiago de Compostela. As she congratulated me on my accomplishment the tears rolled down my face. I felt like a blubbering idiot. I explained to her that I wanted my certificate to be in my late daughter’s name and she quickly obliged. She blessed me and handed the paperwork to me. I was shaking with emotion.
The pictures don’t do any justice to the deep meaning of these certificates.
We spent the rest of the day savoring our accomplishments and pondering what we will take back home with us. We made it to the Pilgrim Mass in the cathedral which was standing room only. Magnificent!
I made it my Camino ritual to light a candle for Krista in every cathedral and this one was no exception.
Well Krista Kay….Mommy did it!
Total steps today: 16,471
I had total confidence in you and the crew, even if you didn't trust yourself. In these situations, failure is not an option.
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