What’s holding you up - Part 2
Well, it appears that yesterday was simply a test. That brief, mildly uncomfortable interlude on the narrow walkway, right over the river, half solid metal, and half metal grid, through which I could see the river flowing below… it turns out that was just a walk in the park!
Today we walked miles and miles on boardwalks! And who can possibly complain about boardwalks? Everybody loves a boardwalk.
Everybody except this body.
Boardwalks, when constructed solidly and well maintained are indeed a wonderful way to travel, providing clearance over rocky, uneven or wet ground, and often beautiful vistas into hard to view areas. I can appreciate a sturdy boardwalk.
Today’s boardwalks however… well they were, let’s say, mixed in quality.
I spent a good portion of my day, head down, focused on making sure I was treading on the line of screws, attaching the boards to the framing underneath. This felt like the safest place to put my feet.
To be avoided at all costs… boards that looked like this one shown above!!
Here are some ponderings from my day on the occasionally scary boardwalks of the Camino Senda Litoral…
If you are a heavy load, and/or you are carrying a heavy load (and I am most certainly both as I travel this Camino) then having a safe and supportive place to put your feet becomes really important. Knowing that what is intended to support you, to hold you up, will actually support you and hold you up is really essential.
Having friends on the way with you, who walk ahead and point out the unsturdy places to be avoided can make the journey feel much safer!
Heavy loads can be more than physical. When we are carrying heavy emotional, spiritual, psychological loads, then the support we receive must also be sturdy, reliable, strong.
When I think about those who are carrying heavy loads in these days, my mind and my heart think of BIPOC and queer folk, and immigrants and so many others who are suffering under extraordinarily heavy loads being imposed on them by the Trump administration.
And then I wonder, how can I be a sturdy, strong and reliable support to them? Maybe you are wondering that too?
