These last two days have been among my favorite days on the Camino.
There is a different spirit on the trail now. It feels almost celebratory. Routes that began in different places are all beginning to converge. We see many familiar faces. There is more laughter, more camaraderie, more Buen Caminos exchanged along the way.
Yesterday we walked 19 miles in glorious weather, and I felt strong and steady. After all these weeks and all these miles, that felt like a gift.
And then, at the end of the day, another gift was waiting for us.
Our son Chris surprised us.
He had traveled all the way to Spain to join us for our final two days into Santiago.
I could hardly believe it.
Throughout this journey, Chuck and I have carried our children and grandchildren with us. We have prayed for them in churches all across Spain. We wrote their names on the stone we carried to Cruz de Ferro. In so many ways, they have been part of every mile.
And now, for these final miles, one of our children is actually walking beside us.
Today we attended our final Mass before Santiago, once again carrying all of the intentions that were entrusted to us before we began this journey.
As I sat there, I thought about pilgrims across centuries and traditions—journeying toward sacred places like Jerusalem and Mecca, or along ancient routes like the Kumano Kodo.
They too came from different places and by different roads. Families and communities traveled together, and as they drew closer, the roads filled with others making the same pilgrimage. And there was celebration in the gathering—shared meals, stories, worship, laughter, and the joy of being part of something larger than themselves. Pilgrimage was never only about walking the road.
These aren’t simply crowds. **These are pilgrims gathering. **
All in pursuit of something calling them.
And now, one road.
Tomorrow Chuck and I will walk the final miles with Chris beside us.
I find myself wanting time to slow down.
I want to notice the faces. Hear the laughter. Go to Mass. Feel this anticipation.
