Along The Camino/At Basecamp

ORIGINAL story that my precious brothers & sisters wrote for me on my birthday.

What was taking my breath away at this moment, was the historical context that was superimposing itself on this scene of Jesus leaning back against a cross. Like a color by number picture, the more this beautiful October day in the 21st century in Spain was colored in by what it meant for Jesus to be by a cross in the Middle East 2 millenia ago.

“Well, I would walk 500 miles ...And I would walk 500 more,
just to be the one who walked 1000 miles to fall down at your door”   
-the Proclaimers

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

“A pack of three guys jogged past me and shouted ‘to Finisterre’! I called back ‘to the end of the earth’!  I noticed one of the concrete columns that lined the Camino and marked the kilometers left. The Camino Frances’ counted down from 778 kilometers starting at St Jean Pied de Port with completion (0 kilometers) at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostella. From there a new countdown had commenced for the Camino Finisterre.  This particular marker said 10.  10 kilometers to go til the end of the earth. It still takes my breath away.”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

 "UBUNTU is an understanding of humanity that knows that no one can be human alone, that my humanity is bound up in your humanity and yours in mine. An African idiom: ”A person is a person through other persons”  Human life is meant to be shared. We learn how to be human through association with other humans. It is the undergirding of the true community. Once you begin to see it, you see it everywhere. More than see it though-you experience it!”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

“The sun hangs lower over the ocean as I go further down and deeper into this path. I try to amuse myself that perhaps the blood sacrifice of my bare legs would pacify the angry cliff god that I imagined was threatening to hurl me over the side. …..  I really have no idea where I am, no one knows where I am, the sun is setting and one misstep could lead to a fall and, I repeat, NO ONE knows where I am. All I knew to pray is that I would  find the way.”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

"Inherent in every Camino pilgrimage is some degree of iconic content. For me, it was my boots (named Martha and Mary), a blue suitcase, a tiny metal charm, the dirt in my phone case…."

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water.  And he spent a long time looking from his lonely wooden tower.  And when He knew for certain that only drowning men could see him, He said, “All men will be sailors until the sea shall free them”  (Cohen)

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

“We were packed like sardines in a tin in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostella, smelly pilgrims next to locals next to tourists from afar. This was the chaos. And now in finale, what we were all straining to behold, began the ceremony of cleansing. A series of thick ropes reach from the center arch of the cathedral connecting a group of 8 priests and a massive silver urn with smoke billowing out of it. This was the incense.”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

“Jesus had a way of turning my interpretation upside-down sometimes. This was one of those times. What else was like that?!”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

“It was easy to picture the hills of central California as I walked across northern Spain. In many ways, the two landscapes favor each other. I wonder if that’s why I found myself totally immersed in this painful and beautiful story because I could picture it happening right there all around me. I’m guessing that added to the depth to which Steinbeck’s novel was able to plumb my soul.”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

“Soon, we came upon another pilgrim who had paused to tie his shoe. He asked if he could join us. We three walked on together down the road from O’Cebriero talking about everything. We talked of things about which we were passionate, but what is even more noteworthy is that we felt great passion as we talked. I can only describe it as if our hearts were burning within us.”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

“Close your eyes. Picture a string of lights strung across Northern Spain. That would be breathtakingly beautiful. I began to see the churches along the Camino de Santiago like that. Like a string of lights, lighting the way as we walk to wherever we will meet God. If you have the eyes to see it...walk with me following this string of lights from the Pyrenees to the west coast.”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

“To anyone observing me of course, this invisible wave of self-righteousness was imperceptible. To them, I was intently gazing at the crucifix. And I was but it was at the dust on top of his head again. I have this insane urge to go dust it. To go right now, get a ladder, climb up and use my bandana to clean his head off- the crown of thorns and all.”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

"Between Rabanal and Molinesca there is a cross on a hill. All guide books have the location listed very clearly and therefore most pilgrims know exactly the day they will come to the foot of that cross. There is anticipation around this day because of the significant Camino tradition that when you come to the foot of the cross you are invited to leave your burdens behind."

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

"I had never thought about the harvesting of grapes and what the experience might feel like. This was wonderful! It was almost like these harvesters were calling the grapes forth into what they could become. It was like these people were singing a drinking song way before the wine was ready to drink, because they KNOW what is coming!"

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

"The  Camino de Santiago is primarily walked by pilgrims on foot but in areas, some people ride bikes. I could not become LeBron sized and experience life with that impressive body, but I could try getting a bike for a few days and seeing what riding along the Camino is like.”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

"The shepherd kept trying to rub behind the lamb’s ears and the lamb kept trying to lick the man’s hands. We couldn’t seem to take our eyes off them. Time seemed to stand still. Finally, the shepherd stood, the lamb still in his arms and still trying to lick him. He turned to us, smiled, and thanked us for caring for his sheep. And just like that, he went whistling off into the night.”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

“As most of us were ending our day's journey in the nearby town, we settled into a great time of fellowship there. A group of guys from Austria, obviously old friends, pulled out their bunsen burner and a coffee percolator. It smelled so good and soon they offered me a cup. I accepted but only on the condition of a trade- I would trade them a strong riddle for a strong cup of coffee. They heartily agreed. With shade over our heads, cool water for our feet, and coffee for the soul, we all leaned in while I spun the tale….”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen

“I walk back out into the evening air and lean against that shared wall. I picture how it creates a foundation for both the cathedral and the town square. They seem to sit in contrast sometimes- to be telling different stories- but maybe it’s all part of the same. They are not separate at all, they lean on, lean toward something more. This wall isn’t separating but connecting these two realities making them part of the same bigger story. This is why the church and the square should share a wall. They need each other.”

Thanks to Kellie Haddock IG @kelliehaddockmusic and @kelliehaddock 
for the use of “Eden’s Dream” with Ben Shive and Sarah Masen