Connected Journeys

I walked the Camino Francés from August 20 to October 3, 2024—a journey of 550 miles across Spain that tested my body and spirit in ways I never expected. But what most people don’t know is that I was actually on two separate but connected journeys.

About a week before I left for Spain, I felt a lump in my breast. I quickly convinced myself it was just a sore muscle from lifting heavy at the gym. Denial became my armor, and I kept myself busy, diving into art and preparing for the Camino. Art has always been a comfort, a way to express what words cannot. Walking, too, is something I love—a rhythm that calms the chaos. So, I leaned into both, refusing to acknowledge the quiet fear growing inside me.

The Camino was hard. Blisters, exhaustion, and the relentless weight of my pack were constant companions. Yet, beneath the surface, an even heavier burden pressed against my heart—the uncertainty of what awaited me once the journey ended. Little did I know that my pilgrimage across Spain was preparing me for a different kind of endurance, a test of faith and courage I hadn’t foreseen.

There were moments when the two journeys intertwined—when the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other became a lifeline. As the miles passed, I learned to embrace the unknown, to find beauty in each sunrise, and to trust the path, even when I couldn’t see what lay ahead. I discovered that sometimes, the hardest battles are the ones we fight silently, step by step.

The Camino taught me that true strength is not the absence of fear but the willingness to keep moving forward despite it. That grace can be found in the struggle, and that hope is a light we carry within, even on the darkest days.

Whatever journey you’re on—whether it’s a path of uncertainty, healing, or self-discovery—know that you’re not alone. Keep going. Trust the road. The way forward is made by walking. 🩷