Jonah on the Camino
One afternoon early in the retreat at Flores, a mysterious piece of driftwood appeared on our prayer table. The piece of driftwood looked just like a whale … and tucked inside of it was a small carving of Jonah. No one fessed up to being the one who brought this beautiful natural portrayal of Jonah and the whale. It simply remained there on our prayer table as a delightful mystery and prayerful presence throughout our sacred retreat week at Flores.
On the morning we were to begin walking the Camino, a note was propped up alongside the driftwood whale that read…
“Sharon, at least 30 years ago this whale was found for you in a tangle of driftwood in an Adirondack mountain stream. For all these years she has been waiting to come into your possession. Finally!”
What a deeply meaningful gift - especially since my great grandfather, Rev. Bard, served as a Methodist circuit rider in the late 1800’s/early1900’s in the Adirondack mountains of Upstate New York! There was still no name attached but I had a sneaking suspicion I recognized the handwriting! On the spur of the moment, I decided to put the little Jonah figurine in my pocket and bring him along as my Camino companion. Thus this delightful series of pictures emerged as a powerful and playful way to remember the blessings of journeying with Jonah along the Camino.
Thank you, mystery gift giver, you made my Camino even more special than I could have imagined…
Jonah and the beautiful driftwood whale from upstate New York.
Jonah’s journey on the Camino begins!
Jonah enjoys a simple breakfast with Marie and me in the first sweet little town we passed on our first day.
Jonah poses on the first day with Mt. Teleno in the background.
Jonah stands alongside stones and a pinecone - atop one of the iconic Camino de Santiago wayposts.
Jonah and I arrive in Rabanal on our first day to discover there was a nationwide power outage across Spain and Portugal. That was a surprise twist! Fortunately power was back on by the next morning.
Jonah sits regally at the head of the table for our candlelight dinner on the night of the power outage.
Jonah walks toward the Iron Cross on the second day with Camisha and me. The sound of the wind in the pine trees on this day was just beautiful… and so very peaceful…
Jonah climbs the steep and rocky path … slow and steady…
Jonah prays at the Iron Cross- just as pilgrims for centuries before him have done.
Jonah may have been a little small to use the walking sticks, but I loved them! Wasn’t sure if they would be cumbersome or helpful. I am now a massive convert! What a fabulous Christmas gift from my daughter-in-love, Jordan!
Jonah enjoys the gorgeous sunset from our second night stop at the lovely little village of El Acebo.
Jonah steps into day 3 of the Camino.
Jonah experiences the grace and generosity of a Camino angel who had a table out in front of her home offering fresh squeezed orange juice, fruit and snacks - as a gracious gift or for a free-will donation. Best orange juice I have ever had in my life!!!
Jonah and I dip our weary feet into the refreshing waters of the Rio Meruelo in Molinaseca at the end of our third day of walking.
Jonah and I sit down to journal a bit with the spectacular Valley of Silence in the background on our last day of pilgrimage. Several others in our group walked that morning to a sacred cave once inhabited by a 10th century hermit!
Jonah returns “home” to Flores to pack up for the long plane ride home.
Jonah rides home in the belly of the plane and ponders his amazing 4 day pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago and into the Valley of Silence.