I’ve made a lot of close friends on the Camino, which called for some hard goodbyes. It all seemed rather unfair, to be blessed with wonderful new friends, yet have to part with them after only a few weeks, fulling knowing some of us may never see each other again. But, truth is, that’s life and there is a lesson in that.
People will pass through our lives. Some linger for a moment like a neighbor dropping in for tea, some weave in and out like race cars through traffic, and some are always there quietly in the background like music in a cafe. The form their presence takes does not matter. The important thing is that they are in our lives in the precise moment they are suppose to be.
I’ve spent the last three weeks of the Camino being an adopted daughter to a retired Swiss man, who never had a child of his own, and confiding in a new big sister, an Australian yogi who sold all her things to travel the world. These were just two, among the many incredible people, who touched my life during the Camino, and for whom I will forever be grateful for.
There are certain things that simply aren’t ours to decide. Our mothers and fathers will pass on one day, our brothers and sisters may move away and our friends may become distant, engrossed in the direction of their own lives.
The people we love are here in this moment; they are not ours to keep. With that said, the best we can do is love the shit out of them right now.
Pauline, wow you really capture the essence of the Camino with friendships that come and go. And you are absolutely right that it is life lesson and that people are in our lives at the precise moment they are supposed to be. You are wise beyond your years, my dear. The photo is great too! You really look like one big happy international family. I did cringe when I saw the s#*% word at the end – sorry. But I understand what you mean. Keep up with the great posts. Buen Camino!
Laurie
PS, I list your blog in my “Favorite Camino Blogs” on the sidebar:
http://thecaminoprovides.com/
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Laurie, thank you for your support. I am so excited for you to experience your own Camino and see my words come into play! Buen Camino! xoxo
So so true. Well said.
Thank you 🙂
It seems like friendships become very deep, very quickly, when we share difficult times together. Wonderful to meet so many great people along the road.
Could not have said that better myself!