A mile is 5,280 feet. Five miles is 26,400 feet. 10 miles is 52,800 feet. When I made up my mind to join the Old Pueblo Chapter-American Pilgrims on the Camino walk from St. Augustine’s to San Xavier Mission Church which is about a ten-mile distance, I knew that I would have a matter of weeks to get comfortable with my new Grit Chair and going some distance with it. I would need to make modifications and make adaptions as I learned of an issue. Often being up late into the night putting idea together and then to take it apart again when it didn’t work out but learning the whole time. When I could I would go with my mother and sister around a small trail at the park.
I was soon making 3 miles and being pretty comfortable with the chair and distance. At the same time, I knew that 3 miles wasn’t 10 miles but at the same time, I had grown in my confidence that I could make and if not, I was going to go as far as I could. I would also scope out parts of route with my mother and see what I was facing and possible points where I would encounter issues. The night before the walk I would make final adjustments and thought I was ready to go.
I was up at 4 a.m. clearly up early because I was both excited and knew the day was going to be big. As we all gathered, I was working on getting the chair ready and getting myself, all set up. As I rolled around the parking lot, I noticed an issues with my set up and the front wheel. My heart sank realizing that the issues would making the walk impossible. When one of the guys in the group realized the issue all I could do was hope and pray that we could come up with a quick fix. After a half hour delay, we came up with a fix and I would need to take each block as came. As thought my mother and I would be walking/rolling in the back.
In a few blocks, I would see my brother Roy standing along the path. He had decided to join us and so the two became three and his presence was spark of energy and hope. Soon we were at the river walk and slowly we made our way. Off in the distance I could see landmarks I had seen in our scooping out the route. The continuing motion of working the levers moved us ever slowly forward and I soon found a rhythm but if you focused on it, I knew it would drive me crazy so did my best to take in the environment.
What I learned about this small Camino walk is that we all have our own reasons why we were there. I was also to learn that to be a “pilgrim” on this path means that we watch out for one another and that we have a responsibility to help one another. I was to also learn that the journey isn’t about how far you go or if you make it at all it really is an inner journey and the physical distance is one makes is the time it takes for one to realize what you need.
I would like to thank my new friends and fellow pilgrims and say thanks to all of them for making this first pilgrimage so amazing and wonder you each are amazing!
Thoughts? E-mail: francisearly@francisearly.com
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