Pulled out of Portomarin this morning to another thick layer of fog. Again, it has such a way of dampening sound, and creating this quiet, surreal atmosphere. The path was full this morning. A lot of folks start in Sarria, and I suspect it will be this way every morning until we hit Santiago. The trick is to wait until they “pit” for their morning cafe con leche, and keep going. You can walk into a less crowded path pretty quickly. Noticed that I am really feeling strong. Seem to have finally gotten my “trail legs”, and that makes it easier to look around and just be here.
At one point this morning, a young lady was standing in the path, trying to solicit funds for a center for the hearing impaired. I pulled out 2 Euros and kept on going. Caught myself wondering if I had just contributed to a center for the hearing impaired, or her daily income. Then I started thinking about all the folks you see nowadays on exit ramps, and sitting outside anyplace where groups gather. I don’t know about you, but when I see one of these folks, my mental process works like this. How clean are their clothes? Is that a fresh pack of smokes? What is the look on their face? Do they look like they’re at work, would they rather be anywhere but here?  I’m not saying I’m right, that’s just what I do. Many times I believe the person is genuinely in need, and I try to keep a couple of bucks, or some change in the console to give.
Generosity. What a deep well that is. Spent a great deal of my day thinking about it, and never did end up with anything concrete. Just some random thoughts.
How many times when talking to a friend who is having a hard time forgiving someone, have you used the “acid in the chalice” metaphor to suggest that the person harmed by our failure to forgive is not the person who requires forgiveness, but the “chalice” holding the acid of unforgiveness. Seems to me generosity is the opposite. It’s not an acid in a chalice, it’s a golden elixir of healing, designed to benefit both the person who receives, and, the person who gives. I know, I know, you’re just sure that if you give, that person is just going to go drink it, or drug it and you don’t approve of that … fair enough.
Let me suggest that in those times, it’s not about the recipient. Generosity is about keeping our hearts open, and soft to those who will need our help. If you always try to figure out what the person’s going to do with the money, and make your decision based on what you think (and you really can’t know) you’ll give less and less, until you give nothing to anyone, including someone who might really need your help. I’m not saying you shouldn’t try to practice a little discernment. What I’m saying is, if the person is obviously not a scam artist, take a chance. When you give, don’t think about what that person is going to do. Just give. That keeps YOUR heart where it needs  to be, open. To be sure, you’re going to be taken advantage of, but that’s not our concern. Our concern is having a heart that is not jaded and hardened. That is capable of responding to the needs of others. At least that’s the way it seems to me. And don’t forget, your kids hear what you do, much more than what you say … just sayin’
I was  reviewing comments and saw some old friends I need to say hello to. Tom L, so good to hear from you. Shoot me your phone number at walkwithe@gmail.com. Would love to call and catch up. Brillo, dude, same thing. It was really good to see your names.
Marcia Eason writes: “I am a supervisor for the Hospice and Palliative care social workers, andI have worked here a little over 20 years. I feel called to work in hospice because I experienced the death of my father from ALS when I was in college. He, and our family did not have the advantage of receiving hospice services while he was dying. I emotionally prepared for his death in my own way with the support of my family and friends, but after learning more about hospice during my training as a social worker, I know how much it could have helped my dad and our family. I think the hospice social worker, in particular, could have helped us as my family was one that did not always encourage open expression of feelings and we would have benefitted by doing more of it. The social worker might have helped us open up to each other and become closer as a family while we were going through this time in the life of our family. This is what I try to bring to work every day”.
One of the things I wanted to accomplish on this walk, other than actually making it, was to raise awareness of, and funds for, the Hospice center at Saint Elizabeth in Edgewood KY. I know that many people reading this blog don’t live in the area, and feel “why should I give to that hospice center”. Well, the simple answer is, because I’m asking you to. Here’s what I would suggest. Go to the Help St. E. hospice page and donate $5 to this hospice center. Under the box you will have to use to donate $5 don’t forget to drill down and select Walk with E. After you’ve done that, find the hospice center in your area, and donate $10 to them. You’re still not out the cost of a movie for two, and you’ve done an incredible thing, truly. Thanks to all who have contributed. Your gift is appreciated more than we’ll be able to say or write.

Buen Camino