Hello. My name is Eric Miller. I’ve created this website to keep in touch with friends, old and new as I spend a couple of weeks this September walking part of the Camino de Santiago. When I first decided to undertake this walk, a couple of people said, “Hey let us know what you need, we’d like to help.” That sentiment was repeated so often, that when someone else suggested I start a website to let people help, and keep in touch while on the road, it just seemed like the right thing to do.
Why would someone going on a hike through Spain, need a website and help from his friends? Good question. Unlike many of the hundreds of thousands of people who make this trek, my perspective is slightly different. For me, this walk represents the last physically challenging event I am likely to undertake. But, I am not unique. Like many others who have walked this trail I live with a terminal disease. I will not presume to speak for anyone else in my situation, but for me, the two weeks I will be spending on this trail represent a celebration of life. Every day, I will be walking a trail through the countryside with no one for company except the birds, butterflies, and occasional pilgrim. This hike is the “thing I really wanted to do” (see “A slice of e”). However, I’ve decided to do more than just have a nice vacation through the countryside of Spain. This walk is dedicated to the staff and Hospice center of St. Elizabeth in my hometown of Edgewood KY.
If you’re on the site because we’re old friends, and you’re going to help me out, thank you. If you’re here because someone recommended the site to you, or sent you a link, I would appreciate it if you take a minute to at least read the section on hospice, if you are not familiar with this wonderful organization.
There is a link that will take you to the website of St. Elizabeth hospital so you can make a gift to the hospice center in my community. There is also the opportunity to help me on my walk across the countryside in Spain. This is on the Donate tab. If you must choose who you would like to help, please help the hospice center.
Thank you for visiting. I know there are plenty of other things you could be doing, and your consideration for my walk is very much appreciated. Prayers, good intentions, and sweet thoughts are gratefully received.
Buen Camino
I received word a early this morning that our brother in Christ, Eric has just passed on to his heavenly rebirth.
Eric went in peace and was well fortified.
Please keep Eric, his family and all who mourn his loss in your prayers today.
You will be missed my friend, but your strength of spirit will remain in each of us.
Godspeed Eric Miller. Love you brother!
Hi Emily. I’m a little behind on checking the comments. What can i do for you? e
Eric, your story is truly inspiring and I wanted to wish you the very best to a successful and safe trip. I love your blog and I just had a quick question about it. Would you mind emailing me back when you get the chance? Thanks so much and I look forward to the updates!
-Emily
Eric,
On behalf on the staff at Ft.Thomas we admire you for the journey you are on. We think of you often and speak of your journey to staff and to families that we meet. You truly are an Inspiration to Hospice and we Thank You.
Eric, Just wanted to let you know that there are people in Texas, following you in Spain, to help out in Kentucky. Dios te bendiga.
Eric:
Please know that you are deep in our thoughts and prayers on this meaningful journey and experience. Thank you , so much, for your call and well wishes this past Saturday morning…it meant a great deal to all of us. Travel safe and we look forward to your return. Adios, Jack Rudnick Jr
Hi Eric
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. You are an inspiration for everyone that reads and listens to your words. Most of us take for granted all that is great in our lives instead of being thankful. Can’t wait to hear a out your journey in person. Live ya my brother .
Dear Eric,
Tks for opening this space for expressions. I did the Camino in March when I turned 50 and found wonderful people, that I’m afraid will be friends for the rest of mi life. For me, El Camino represents the life, ups and downs, rainy days and sunny ones, uphill, flat, smiles, angry faces, indiferent ones, just like life. Arriving to Santiago La Catedral, is the heaven, you have suffered and enjoy the path, now you did it, you are above all. May I recommend you that once you arrived to Santiago and had at least one day rest. Take the bus and go to Finisterre 2 hours ( in latin the end of the world) go to the light house, refresh your lungs with the sea air, pure and clean, untouched by most of humans, a real treasure along with the views. That should be the end of the road ( under my point of view and personal experience for the flesh and the soul) I’ ll see you sometime, neither of us know when, and we’ll have time to talk thoroughly about El Camino and our own lifes. God bless you.
ERIC Iwill keep you in my prayers. Youare an inspiration for everyone. Thanks and God bless.
Hi Eric, We miss you at Stevenson. I have forwarded your blog to many people. You are such an inspiration. I am following you blog every day. Take care and you and you and your family are in my prayers.
Ginny
So glad to hear of your Journey on the Camino Way, and your life’s journey is touching us all. God is good and using all of you to help each one of us. I hope we return te help to you. Stay the path my good friend because He has chosen you to walk this way. You are a true inspration !! Thanks for helping me in my faith. – Greg
Eric-What a wonderful prayer you shared with the group today. He is always listening, and today He heard & answered your call immediately!! How awesome is that!!! I am sure there are two sets of footprints where ever you go. know that you are an inspiration to all of us back here in the states. God Bless you and keep you safe on your journey. Carry on, my friend, carry on.
Barry
Looking forward to you returning and taking 30 minutes to full us all in. WE all continue to pray for you and this journey you are on. God Bless and will be awaiting your return, PeeWee
Hello Eric! I was Tina’s sponsor in your RCIA class. What you are doing for hospice is very dear to my heart. My father passed away the end of April this year. The wonderful caregivers of St. Elizabeth Hospice assisted in his palliative care at the nursing home for the last four weeks of his life. I can not put into words what a difference their smiling faces, loving touches and kind words of support made in the value he felt for his life and his time spent here on earth. His hospice nurse ( I wish I could remember her name) anticipated my father’s every need and made sure the nursing home staff had orders for any medicines needed to keep him comfortable. She also took GREAT care of me as well by keeping me informed of his current condition and how things would progress. After my father passed, Hope ( the social worker with St. Eliz Hospice) came by my house to visit my two sons who are 11 and 9 years old. One, to evaluate how they were handling their grief and two, to help them design their “Grandpa and Me Hand Print Pillows” made by hospice volunteers. There are just soooo many little things that the staff at St. Elizabeth Hospice did for my father and my family that mean so much at that time in your life that I can on and on and on. Eric, what you are doing for them is truly a wonderful, inspiring act!!! Know that God is with you every step of the way!!
Eric,
Boy! U r an inspiration. I wish u a safe and memorable journey. You have the spunk of my mom. She lost her battle to pancreatic ca 3 years ago. She never gave up until she couldn’t fight anymore. She spent her last days at hospice in Edgewood. It was beautiful there and the staff were wonderful. Great organization!
I Admire your strength, courage, and your gift of writing. May the sun shine on you as u travel and the angels guide u to your destination. God bless u and ur family!
Dear Eric: Thank you for such an inspiring story…for sharing it with SEHC HOSPICE and the hopefully the WORLD! God Bless you and keep you safe as you journey! Can’t wait to see you! JOY (Jesus, Others, Yourself) on your pilgrimage!
Eric you are such an inspiration. God blessed the Hospice Program when he sent you to us. Mickey
Eric – you are in my thoughts and prayers! I hope your journey is going well!
I just learned of the journey you are on old friend and will be there beside you through your pictures are blogs.
Keep your socks dry,
Monty
Eric ….we met at Pee Wee’s Chapel several Saturday mornings ago. Everyone in our group continues to pray for Pat B. and you. Thanks for the inspiration that makes me want to continue walking and living. May GOD and our prayers be with you. BTW…if you see Forrest Gump on that trail, please get his autograph for me!
Dennis Rohlman
Hi Eric, We have not met but I am very close friends with Jeanne….I wish you well on your journey! I watched your video clip from the news the other night and was inspired by your personal strength. I wholeheartedly agree that Hospice is a wonderful organization as I have had a couple of personal experiences seeing the great work they do. Safe travels!! Kathy
Your story and journey touched me on so many levels. My son studied in Spain through an honors language program this summer and Santiago de Compostela was one of his favorite places. He stayed in Oviedo. One of my aunts survived pancreatic cancer for over 5 years. I work in a cancer center in Indianapolis. I grew up in Northern Kentucky (Paul and Judy Haney’s oldest daughter). My mother in law received excellent care from St. E’s hospice a couple of years ago. My prayers with you on this pilgrimage. Enjoy God’s creation and the blessings it pours forth. Peace to you. Maureen Moher
Your story and journey touched me on so many levels: My son studied in Spain through an honors language program this summer and Santiago de Compostela was one of his favorite places (we were just discussing The Way tonight!). He stayed in Oviedo. One of my aunts survived pancreatic cancer for over 5 years, I work in a cancer center in Indianapolis, I grew up in Northern Kentucky (Paul and Judy Haney’s oldest daughter), My mother in law received excellent care from St. E’s hospice a couple of years ago. My prayers with you on this pilgrimage. Enjoy God’s creation and the blessings it pours forth. Peace to you. Maureen Moher
Eric, I was so surprised to see your interview on channel 9 the other day and I was determined to find you on here! I spent some time as a Hospice Nurse Aide when I was in Massachusetts – best work I’ve ever done. And there you were, putting away supplies as a Hospice Volunteer! God bless you in your journey, Eric, both in Spain and in life. I’m so inspired by you and your story and so very glad I had the chance to work with you at Stevenson.
I am mailing a check today. Peace and good luck on your journey.
Edgewood neighbor.
Eric, Your daughter can certainly hear you now and will forever. What a powerful and beautiful message to accompany her as she journeys on her own walk through life.
Eric, My Brother. Praying you have a powerful day. Love you.
Miss you at Stevensons, Kenny said he saw you a few weeks ago. We wish you a safe journey and look forward to reading your adventures along the way. Will tell everyone I can about your web site.
Thelma Dressler
Hi Eric, we worked together at Hennegan years ago. I made a donation to Hospice on your behalf. I wish you all the best on your Journey.
Dear Eric,
John and I will keep you in our prayers. We met you at Cursillo and John goes to the Sat. Morning Prayer Group! Safe travels and God’s Blessings on your journey! Debbie and John
By now, you have gone through Charles De gaulle airport. We are all thinking of you and wishing you safe travels.
Hey Eric – we’re thinking of you and praying for your amazing trip. We can’t wait to read all your entries and cheer you on!!! God speed Friend. We love you!
Eric wish you a great walk, you are an inspiration.
Vaya con Dios amigo.
Hi Eric, Your story touched me because my mother was diagnosed 5 years ago with pancreatic cancer. She so far has been one of the lucky ones to survive this dreadful disease, with the help of surgery and chemo. I will pray for you and your family, and will keep up with your journey. Very inspiring indeed!
I walked the last 100 km of the Camino a year ago. It was a wonderful experience..I met a lot of great people. I used a travel agency based in Madrid. Good luck to you…will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Good luck Eric on your adventure; looking forward to hearing how everything went when you return. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dennis McEvoy
Eric, Larry & I will be keeping up & thinking of you on your journey!
Eric, Keep up the fight. Have a safe trip on your journey. May God watch over you and your family.
You and I were strangers Mr. Miller but you have openly shared yourself with me now. Just yesterday I finished the novel “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho who years ago literally walked the path you are on to St. James and today I find myself reading your story. Not a coincidence I think. That book gave me hope and a sense that I am learning to listen to the earth and the Universe and you have confirmed that. I consider you a Teacher now and thank you for the lesson. I hope your journey is extraordinary and that it fills your Soul with Joy.
Eric- My thoughts and prayers are with you my friend. I’ll share your journey with my friends and family.
Eric,
I found out about your website while reading your story on the Channel 9 News app. Your life and your story are a real inspiration. I hope this trip brings you much happiness and fulfillment. God speed.
Eric, you truly are such an inspiration! God bless you on your journey.
Hello Mr. Miller,
And I hope you two can go. I just wanted to let you know that my family and I have been and will continue to pray for you.
My name is Sarah I am not sure if we ever met before, and if not I am sorry for that you seem like a really great guy (for the record, I’m Jim Tillery’s daughter). I have read your page seeing as my dad sent me a link and yes that sounds a lot like my dad to want to accompany you to Ireland.
God speed, God bless
Sarah (Tillery) Johnson
God bless you Eric, have a safe journey. We will see you at the Hospice Center when you get back!!!!!
Eric…just wanted you to know that I’m thinking about you as you begin your journey soon. I’ve read your blogs and I didn’t realize you were such a good writer
I look forward to hearing about your daily adventures, whether they’re people you meet, animals you encounter or just your thought provoking words. Good luck to you and may the Lord be with you every step of the way! Maryann