Walking Companions: How does it happen?

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2

Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ Luke 24

Ms. Farr handed me Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales on a Friday afternoon when I was in 9th grade. She looked me square in the eyes and said, “I want you to begin reading this book before everyone else. Please DO NOT read the Miller’s Tale nor The Wife of Bath Tale. These are banned books but read the opening chapters.” She knew quite well what was going to happen. It was a brilliant English teacher trick to get a few boys of the class to read. Ban something, and we will surely engage.

I love Chaucer’s stories. Religion. Mischief. Tawdry. Play. Companionship. Honesty. It’s all there. I remember reading Chaucer and dreaming about a time that I would travel this path and meet other characters along the way. When I began considering the Camino de Santiago, I reread the opening chapters of Chaucer. I like the friendly strangers that coalesce on coincidence. 

Nobody pilgrims alone. I know that my first steps on July 23 will appear alone, and I may find the first few hours lonely as I walk step-by-step on new ground. But soon the time will pass and a traveler and I will meet. I wonder how the encounter will go? Will they need something? Will our eyes meet as we pass one another? In an awkward moment will I or they say, “Want to walk together?” How does companionship happen on a pilgrimage? 

I imagine it will be similar to watching Maggie play on the playground at Micah’s baseball games. Maggie sees a girl roughly her age and they play close to one another for a few minutes until one of them says to the other, “Want to play?” Or “Hey, what’s your name?” Soon after, they move from parallel play to conversation; it just sort of happens.

I encountered a few pilgrims today on a training walk. This was my first solo training walk; everything up until now has included a friend or my mom [thanks mom for walking miles with me last week]. Today I was alone, and I was quite eager to experience the pack, walking, and myself.

I walked for several miles before seeing anyone. Finally, two women were walking and talking. I was quite thirsty, but I could not reach my water bottle without taking off my backpack (something to be conscious of as I plan for the Camino). I didn’t want to remove my pack, so I interrupted their stepping and asked if they would help me; “Would you be willing to hand me the water bottle from the side of my bag?” The bottle was squeezed into the bag, and she had to give it a good pull (again, good to know) but she pulled out the bottle and handed it to me. If felt silly to ask, but I was grateful for her help. I expressed my gratitude; they went on their way, and my thirst was quenched.

Two miles later, I saw a man standing in the road with a camera and a telescoping photo lens. HIs name is Dave. He was standing beneath the neighborhood’s eagle nest. The nest is enormous, and Lindsay and I have recently observed the eagles sitting high on a branch over Lake Macatawa. I was curious if he had seen the eagles, so we engaged in conversation.

The Foto Guy

Dave spends quite a bit of time taking photos in the woods. He was telling me stories of the eagles and the birth of two eaglets this year. He said the Eagles were pretty quiet today but the eaglets were milling about the nest. He also recounted seeing a large piliated woodpecker yesterday. We swapped quite a few local bird stories.

I was impressed with his stories and asked if he also lived in the neighborhood. He doesn’t, but he drives into the woods to see birds and take photos. He shared how he had taken up the hobby of photography. Photography, for Dave, is therapy following a significant car accident; it alleviates (or distracts from) the pain. You can check out his photos here. 

I was surprised that in a few short minutes we encountered one another. We shared stories and made a connection.  We don’t know each other but for a few brief moments, we had companionship. I walked away grateful. 

In my last steps through the neighborhood, a car drove by, and I gave a gentle nod. A few minutes later, the car had turned around and slowly drove up next to me. It was a neighbor and former board member of WTS. He said, “I thought I saw a scruffy man wandering through the woods." We talked for a few minutes about our days and, again, went on our way.

The practice of pilgrimage will have its encounters. I wonder how they will occur, when they will conclude, and what will happen in the time between.

**I begin a sabbatical on July 1, 2018. Part of my sabbatical is pilgrimage as leadership discernment. I will say more about why I am doing and how it relates to my role at WTS. However, between now and July 23, when I begin my first steps, I will blog about my preparations, whether spiritual or physical. I am walking the Camino in Spain. I will do the Way of Frances for 33 days. The first 23 days will be alone; I will be visited by three close friends for the final 10 days. I covet your prayers and invite you to join me as a reader and friend. Welcome back to Pilgrims' Home.