I decided yesterday to take a couple of days off to let my body recover. I pushed through last year which was a huge mistake so I am hoping I caught this in time. I contacted my travel company (French Touch- shout out to Eva) early and she turned around a game plan that gets me back on schedule.
Today I spent some time at a church called Iglesia de Santiago which is famous for its Puerta del Perdon (Door of Forgiveness), where pilgrims too ill to continue to Santiago could receive the same indulgences as they had completed the journey. The church caught my eye because of how dark it felt because of the stone structure, but the ceiling has a beautiful wood structure that gave it warmth and depth to the building. I sat in a pew and prayed for an hour… it was a great time of self reflection and talking with the Lord.
I am in a town called Triacastela where I am on my final stretch… 6 more hiking days…. 200,000 more steps or so :). I am feeling good about my body, ready to continue on.
Last night I had a dream about Jessica. This is actually really rare for me, I can’t remember the last time I had one and I bet I’ve had less than 5 since she passed. People have asked me if I have ever felt or seen her. Not really but I am now a believer in signs. Allow me to share a story.
After Jessica’s celebration of life, my friends Scott and Amy invited me to KC to get away for a couple of nights. I use to always call Jessica after I would go through airport security to let her know where in the world I was. Returning home from my KC trip, I instinctively reached for my phone to dial up her number and I was hit with that sobering feeling that this isn’t a call I can make anymore.
I was flying United Airlines which I had crazy good status so on my way to my gate I checked to see where I was on the upgrade list. I was in the number 2 spot and United Airlines designates the first three characters of someone’s last name and the first charter of their first name so in my case I am- Kir,R. This is where the sign comes in. The person above me was Kir,J. In a moment where I was vulnerable, weak and sad I got a sign that I am not alone.
Love Ryan
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