Miles Days/Total/To Go: 35.7/280.7/238.4
Weather: Cool and Sunny both Days
Weather: Cool and Sunny both Days
No real internet yesterday so this post is for the past two days which may be just as well since they were very similar. This stage is part of what is called the Meseta, the high plateau. It's quite flat and open, I've been in this stage for a few days and will be for two or three more.
The number of photos these past few days has declined a bit the landscapes from km to km all look very similar, so the opportunities for a unique and interesting photo are limited.
The past couple of days have been devoted to my Dad. Not an easy topic for me; most people saw him as a great guy, affable and friendly. I suppose that to them he was. For me the picture is somewhat more complicated. He loved me as he knew how and gave me every advantage life has to offer. I saw North America and Europe all before the age of 12, got a good college education, emerging with a masters degree debt free, always had nice things, nice clothes and was given everything I wanted to pursue without question. The thing I struggle with with my Dad is the means by which he acheived dominance within the family. There was never any question who was in control and that control and dominance were to be his through intimidation, corporal punishment, bullying and ridicule if necessary. The primary focus was me, my siblings, my Mom and my grandparents This is a difficult post for me and the last two days of walking focusing on this have been gut wrenching and tearful at times. I realize this openess may offend many, but I need to include some discussion of this in order to consider this blog complete.
Dont misread me I loved and admired my father, he was a brilliant man, could do amazing things and treated us great the majority of the time. He provided for us splendidly in the material dimension and I know his intentions were good. There is, however, a deep wound from the means by which I watched him always get his way. Going back to the prior blog posts regardiing my sons I believe he was doing the best he could given what he was given. Nobody ever got either an admission or an apology and now he has passed. This makes forgiveness more difficult, but not impossible. I've spent the last two days in the Spanish Meseta talking with him and running these issues through my mind praying for some peace and reconciliation. It was time well spent. I believe I've crossed the bridge of forgiveness and have as much peace as I've ever had on this. I love my Dad, I wish we could have buttoned this up while he was alive.
I am sorry if this post has made anyone uncomfortable or offended. I needed to write something about these last two days or this blog would be incomplete. I attempted to not include specifics but still get necessary components of my internal discussion recorded.
Well past the halfway point now in the Camino......Leon is now just a couple days away....getting super excited. Feet and legs are tired at days end, but feeling good.
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