Ok, so you are going on a walk..Big deal!

So here it is, 2011. It has been eight years since I first discovered the Camino and it started to call me. The images of cathedrals, ancient bridges and the path were the lures and I realized that a dream I once had as a teenager, of backpacking and staying in hostels, and travelling in a simple way could actually happen, only thing is, I would be in my 50s instead of my 20s when I would experience it.
In 2003 I discoverd the Camino de Santiago after listening to a woman on a TV morning show, who had just completed the walk. It was her voice that drew me to the interview and I soon came to know her as Sue Kinney. She had written a book about her experiences and was promoting it and had become a life coach, helping others find their purpose. I was intrigued by the long walk and impressed by the feat.
A few months later I found a book mark at a printing shop (Artstract) in Gravenhurst. It was advertising her book and I learned she sold it at the local farmer's market and that she lived not far away. It was a few months after that that I finally found the book "My Camino", in a book store in Toronto and bought it.
I read it fairly quickly which was good for me cause I am not really a reader, but I loved it and it got me thinking about my own Camino.
In 2005 I attended a Gathering of Pilgrims in Toronto to learn and yearn to go. I attended talks and workshops, church and musical performances. I met some very interesting people. I had Sue Kinney sign my book and I attended a session she gave.
I soon purchased my passport book, that gets stamped along the journey to prove that the Camino was completed and purchased a membership in the Canadian Company of Pilgrims
Later on I joined the Orillia Chapter, headed by Sue Kinney. Not sure if it is still going.

All my preparations came to a complete halt following the death of my husband, Bob, in August of 2007 and my mother one month later. That was the beginning of a dark period that has lasted for a very long time but I have always hung on to the thought of one day walking El Camino de Santiago, and that perhaps it is something that I will need to do as part of my healing process. I have been getting stronger and more courageous as time goes on and I feel I am now ready to take on a long 780 km walk through northern Spain, although I am facing some fears about making a final commitment. I am close though and perhaps this blog will help me to work through them.
Maybe I will be able to continue this throughout my journey, and maybe not. Maybe I will share it with others, but maybe not. It doesn't really matter.