A birthday wish
Sept. 3, 2012
I awoke this morning to the sound of bells from Iglesias de Santa María de lo Arcos XII. I am thousands of miles from home, and I am 43 today.
I never imagined what this age would be like, where I would be, how I would feel. Life hasn’t always turned out how I expected. In some respects, it is better, others worse, but it is mine and I am making the most of it where I can, how I can. It is the best present I can give myself.

I met someone along the Way on Saturday who embodies that spirit. Her name is Diane, a retired teacher who divides her time between Northern California, where her grandkids live, and Montana, where her husband pursues his passion for fishing. Diane is on the Camino, walking from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela. She’s given herself 50 days to do it. It is her first big travel adventure, and she had some initial difficulty getting adjusted to the demands of walking, but I have no doubt she will reach her goal.
Diane is 63, friendly and generous. We met at the parochial albergue in Estella. I was there because it was convenient and I didn’t want to walk anymore. Diane sought it out because the funds raised help support people with special needs. As she walks, she’s also asked her friends to pledge small sums for each mile to donate to Wounded Warriors and Josh Groban’s Find Your Light Foundation, which supports arts and cultural education for kids, something that is also special to me.
I walked with Diane on Sunday about eight kilometers to Villamayor de Monjardin, her destination for the day. I pushed on to Los Arcos. But our time together was fun and reflective and honest. It was a privilege to be with her on part of her journey.
My only wish for this birthday is that Diane continues to find encouragement on her Camino. Sept. 3 is also her wedding anniversary, and I imagine the separation may be difficult today. You can help by following her on Twitter @going500 miles. Connections are sometimes spotty or unavailable out here, but eventually she will hear you. Let her know that she is not alone as she makes this journey of a lifetime.

