At last, Santiago

At last, Santiago | Daily Tribune

The journey was.

When we started in Sarria, I was not sure how my body would respond. Weeks before, I had experienced high blood pressure and elevated sugar levels while preparing for the walk. At our age, we become more conscious of our limitations. There were moments when I wondered if I could finish. I kept monitoring my heart bpm and sugar level during the walk.

But every morning, we put on our walking shoes and started again. One step at a time.

We passed through Borbadelo, Portomarín, Gonzar, Palas de Rei, Melide, Arzúa, A Brea and Lavacolla. We walked through forests, small villages, farms, and long stretches of road. We climbed hills, descended steep paths, and endured aching feet and tired legs.

There were days when the kilometers seemed endless.

But what made the journey special was that we did not walk alone.

We were blessed to have wonderful friends sharing this pilgrimage with us. Mike and Joey del Prado, Benjie and Malou Bustos, Kiril and Binky Caral and Bong and Rina Manuel. Even though they could not physically be with us on the road, Manny and Monette Delos Santos were very much part of our journey, joining us virtually, checking on us and sharing in our experience from afar.

There is something special about traveling with friends. The long walks become lighter when there is someone to pray with, talk with, laugh with, encourage, or simply walk beside in silence.

And a very special thank you goes to Bong and Rina, who organized this entire journey and shepherded our group throughout the Camino. It being their second time to do the Camino, their preparation, patience and care allowed all of us to focus on the pilgrimage itself. Every journey needs someone willing to lead, look after everyone, and make sure nobody is left behind. For that, we are deeply grateful.

But perhaps the most meaningful part of this journey was walking with Lyn. This was on her bucket list, her dream. And I am grateful that Monette invited us to join the Camino with the group.

We have been married for more than three decades. We have traveled many roads together, some smooth, some difficult. We raised our children, celebrated victories, faced disappointments, and experienced the pain of losing people we love.

The Camino reminded me that marriage is also a pilgrimage.

You don’t always walk at the same pace. Sometimes one is stronger while the other is struggling. Sometimes you have to wait. Sometimes you have to encourage. But ultimately, you are headed toward the same destination.

And you walk together.

As we approached Santiago, the yellow arrows that had guided us for nine days finally led us toward the Cathedral. With every step, the realization grew stronger — we were almost there.

When the Cathedral finally came into view, there was no need for words. We had made it.

I thought about the days when my legs were tired and my body wanted to stop, most especially during the uphill climbs. I thought about the prayers we whispered along the way. I thought about our friends who encouraged us. And I thought about Lyn, whose dream had brought us to this ancient pilgrimage route.

Most of all, I thought about God.

As a member of Ligaya Ng Panginoon, I have always believed that our journey in life is ultimately a journey toward Him. The Camino gave that belief a different meaning.

Every morning, I prayed for strength for the day, not for the entire journey.

And perhaps that is how God wants us to live our lives.

We don’t need to know everything that lies ahead. We simply need enough faith to take the next step.

Standing before the Cathedral, I realized that we did not really walk those 114.5 kilometers alone.

God walked with us.

Our friends walked with us.

And Lyn and I walked with each other.

We came to Santiago thinking we were completing an adventure on our bucket list.

But somewhere along the road, the Camino became something more.

It became a prayer. It became a thanksgiving.

It became a reminder that life is precious, that marriage is a journey, that friendship is a gift and that faith gives us strength when our own strength begins to fade.

As I looked at the Cathedral, I quietly said, “Thank You, Lord.”

Not because the road was easy. But because You gave us the grace and strength to keep walking.

And perhaps that is what Santiago truly means to me.

It is not simply a place we finally reached. It is a reminder of how far God has already carried us.

I looked at Lyn and thought of all the roads we had traveled together, the roads we chose, the roads we never expected, the roads that tested us, and the roads that brought us joy.

And suddenly, the 114.5 kilometers felt very short compared with the journey of a lifetime.

The Camino may have ended at the Cathedral, but our pilgrimage continues.

There will still be hills to climb, unexpected turns, moments of weariness, and roads we cannot yet see.

But now I know something I did not know before we began.

We do not have to see the whole road to keep walking. We only need faith for the next step.

And if I am blessed enough to walk those steps with Lyn, surrounded by family and friends, wherever the road leads us, we will not be walking alone.

So, standing beneath the Cathedral of Santiago, with tired feet and grateful hearts, I offered one final prayer.

Thank You, Lord, for bringing us here. Thank You for every step, every struggle, every prayer and every person You placed along our path.

Thank You for giving me Lyn to walk beside me, not only on this Camino, but through this beautiful, imperfect journey called life.

We came here to fulfill a dream.

We leave Santiago with a deeper gift. It is the certainty that every journey is made more beautiful when it is walked in faith, walked in love, and walked together.

And if life gives us another road tomorrow, we will put on our shoes again. We will take each other’s hand. We will look for the next yellow arrow.

And we will walk together. One step at a time. Until the road finally leads us home.

Buen Camino!