The symbol of my ‘2020 pilgrimage’ arrived in the mail today. At last, I could see all the 480.9+ miles I walked since September in a form of a medal.

My purpose of my pilgrimage was not only a personal challenge. I chose to start it in September because September is childhood cancer awareness month. Childhood cancer brought so much anguish to our lives but it also taught us to rely on faith, to have hope, and build on strength. I had a shirt that I kept for years but I hardly wore it and I thought today would be a good day to bring it out. The hundreds of miles I walked represented all the suffering my son had lived through-—from all his treatments in the past ten years to the pain we all had endured.

Hope, a word used a lot during our family’s cancer journey, is also an appropriate word to describe my feelings for what is going on in the world today. I have hope for covid to end. I have hope that we learned our lessons along the way and we shall not easily forget the hardship that came with this pandemic. I have hope that the world will be a better place and we become better people as a result of it.

I am hopeful that someday I can experience walking the real Camino de Santiago (The Way of St. James) leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain. But I am happy I was able to do it virtually. I am thankful for everything I met along the way (everyday was an experience) and also every creature—the geese, ducks, birds, the lost turtle, even the snake I came across once—and to my walking buddy: my dog and my soulmate! Without them, all 480+ miles would have been a monotonous and uneventful journey.



The Conqueror also have planted five trees on my behalf, one of the good reasons to do this challenge.

See you in my next pilgrimage, hopefully in a real setting! Buen Camino!

P.S. the movie, The Way, starring Martin Sheen is a good movie to start learning about the Camino and Paulo Coelho’s book The Pilgrimage (I haven’t read but saving it for when I do the real Camino).
I remember when you did the walk in September. I didn’t know the cause at the time, but getting out is so important.
Will your son get vaccinated in Ireland? I saw your comment about hoping to go in September. I’m sure you’ll be vaccinated by then (if you want to get vaccinated).
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You mean my older son? He is in England and I’m hoping that he would be. Since he is a student there, he is included in their healthcare.
Yes I would love to be vaccinated sooner rather than later. It would mean more freedom for me. And I’m hoping by august when I plan to leave I’ll be vaccinated by then.
I’m still following your Mexico adventures. Thank you for all the beautiful photos you share on Instagram. I imagine myself in new places in the near future, covid-free future of course. Take care always.
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I think you’ll be vaccinated long before August. And your son, too, because they’re going fast in England. I don’t love the idea of getting vaccinated, but I will. We’ll travel to NYC when it’s time.
Thank you, Boots. Mexico is so full of surprises.
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Congratulations on your journey! It sounds like you have many more exciting ones to come. You truly are an inspiration to others who face adversity. Thinking of what you have been through, I will leave you with this, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King Jr
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You constantly surprise me at your ability to find the right quotes and things to say. I would have never guessed this quote came from MLK Jr. and yes, keep moving forward is my goal. Thank you for your beautiful words. You inspire me to do better.
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Right on! Very proud of you. Quite the time commitment. And I’m sure a very good time to spend time deep in thought. What’s the next challenge?
I’ve had you in my mind reading the lockdown news in Ireland.
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Thank you so much!! I’m starting a running challenge on Monday. I’m very upset about Ireland. I’ll have to contact the school to see what are my options. I’m holding I can still go in September. Thank you so much for reading!
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It’s still totally possible September can happen. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!
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Thank you!!! I sure need this to happen. Sometimes I feel like my mental health is declining since I’m unable to go anywhere. Take care and be safe!
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I hear ya girl. Have you thought about coming up with a plan B in case Ireland doesn’t work out? Maybe some other alternative program just in case?
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I haven’t really thought of Plan B. I’ve looked at other alternatives but nothing is as good or as exciting as the one in Ireland. It sucks when you find something yet the world prevents you from doing it. 🥲
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September is a while away yet. I have a good feeling. I think it’s gonna happen for you. It just might be a nail biter for the next three or four months.
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Yes you’re absolutely right. Nail biter!!! I’m keeping it positive. Having three vaccines in February is amazing. We didn’t expect that months ago.
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I meant *hoping* I can still go in September
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