How can taking one step forward mean so much?
Finding Healing, Connection, and Purpose on the Road to Santiago de Compostela
In 2018, I spent six weeks walking the Camino de Santiago—more than 500 miles—and it was a life-changing experience. This journey fostered emotional connections with people from all over the world, provided a therapeutic opportunity to live fully in the moment, and offered so much more.
The Camino is a network of pilgrimage routes leading to the shrine of the apostle Saint James in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, in northwestern Spain. For centuries, it has drawn millions of pilgrims, each walking for their own reasons—spiritual, physical, or emotional healing. The purpose of my journey was not only the physical challenge, but also the opportunity to mend my broken heart, feel emotionally free, and share this experience with my love. I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone, feel connected to nature, and remain open to whatever gifts each day might present.
The gentle crunch of gravel underfoot seemed louder than usual in the peaceful silence of the early morning. Each day, as I began another segment of the Camino, it felt as though I was seeing the world with new eyes. I was surrounded by the natural beauty of rolling hills and endless skies. Along the way, I passed other pilgrims greeting one another with “Buen Camino,” a Spanish phrase meaning “good path” or “good road.”
I encountered friends who became my Camino family, discovered the perfect cup of espresso in a small café tucked into the woods, and stopped to admire the beauty of a 12th-century bridge or a 13th-century church. I remember people selling fresh fruit along the roadside, pausing to pet a wild horse in the mist of the Pyrenees, and sitting quietly beneath sprawling trees on a sunny Sunday while hearing church bells ring from the next village. It was not just the physical act of walking each day, but the feeling that I was weaving my steps into paths traveled by so many before me.
But the Camino also presented unique challenges. There were moments of frustration, confusion, and exhaustion—sore, blistered feet, aching muscles, fatigue, and even arriving at the end of the day with nowhere to stay. There were steep climbs, dangerous descents, gravel, mud, and rain. Yet somehow, things always worked themselves out, whether through sheer courage or the kindness of a fellow pilgrim. However the problem was solved, it always felt like a great accomplishment, and I was grateful to have had the opportunity. It empowered me.
Along the path, I marveled at the architectural splendor of ancient churches and the serene beauty of the Spanish countryside. I learned to appreciate the little things I might otherwise overlook: a beautiful tree standing in the morning mist, a field of yellow canola shining in the Rioja afternoon sun, or a smooth-running river beneath the bridge in Puente la Reina.
Reaching the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela was an emotional climax. Standing before its imposing façade among a crowd of fellow pilgrims, I felt a profound connection—not only to my Camino self, but also to the thousands of souls who had walked the same path before me, each carrying their own burdens and hopes. In that sacred space, it was not about ending a journey, but about celebrating the experience and continuing to move forward.
The lessons I learned on the Camino went far beyond what I had hoped for. It reinforced the power of love and patience, the ability to face situations that push me outside my comfort zone, and the importance of making every moment count.
This perspective has carried into my passion for supporting people living with dementia. I understand that every situation presents a different challenge and a different opportunity. It is up to us how we choose to face those challenges and use those opportunities moving forward.
So let us embrace our connections, live in the moment, remain open, and face the situations that take us outside our comfort zones. Let us prioritize learning, educating ourselves, and continuing to share meaningful experiences with our loved ones. No matter where someone is in their journey, we can walk WITH them, LOVE each moment with them, and continue moving FORWARD.
