Stones

[dandekay]

Prior to leaving California for my walk on the Camino, I spent a weekend
camped out in the mountains where my father's ashes are spread.  I gathered
several smallish stones (golf ball size) and carried them with me on my
pilgrimage.  Taking them from SJPP to the cross gave me plenty of time to
ponder and pray about what it was I wanted to leave with the stones when I
placed them at the cross.  By the time I'd gotten there I knew what it was I
wanted to leave: fear, mistrust, anger, self-doubt.  Doing this was a
powerful experience for me, one that I recall on a daily basis even now.  I
would highly recommend this ritual to anyone planning to walk the Camino.
Lighten your pack, lighten your soul, bring a light into your world.
              Daniel
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sue Kenney" <sue.kenneyaSYMPATICO.CA>
To: <GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU>
Sent: Friday, January 24, 2003 11:26 AM
Subject: Re: leaving stones along the way


> wisdom's aspirant wrote:
>
> > The church at which I play the organ is St James. A lady from that
church is
> > painting a little stone for me to leave at the Iron Cross, a stone of
prayer
> > for the church. They will bless the stone and me before I go.
>
> Deanna,
>
> I didn't know anything about the tradition of leaving a stone at the Cruz
de
> Ferro from your country of origin, before I left for the Camino. That day
I
> wasn't sure what to leave leave since I really needed everything I was
> carrying.  Then I met a Spanish woman and I told her of my dilema. She
told me
> to pick up a stone and "put my country into it". I did just that.
>
> Sue