August 2025

Life often closes chapters for us – sometimes gently, sometimes abruptly. In our conversation, Brendan shared a powerful reminder of how God’s “sunsets” are not just endings, but invitations to something new.

Over the last four days I’ve witnessed things I’ve never imaged. Early in the morning I crossed a Irache Monastery’s vineyard and outdoor wine fountain. Lines of pilgrims waited for a sample of the free wine at the outdoor spigot. Tasty!

After leaving Pamplona, I faced Alto de Perdón, the Mountain of Forgiveness. The feature’s reputation for its strenuous ascent of 1300’ to the peak intimidated me. It also challenged me to reflect upon its name, A Mountain of Forgiveness. The walk was tough, and so was the reflection of the many memories, a mountain of them, when I needed God’s forgiveness.

The ascent of the Pyrenees was a cardiac stress test. My body leaned toward my boots the entire way. My trekking poles clawed at the gravely path and my biceps screamed in pain as they grew and tightened. With each straining step upward, my lungs stretched for another refill. I leaned hard and pushed myself forward. My heart thumped madly and my strained calf muscles cramped, trying to maintain my fight upward.

I felt my bed jolt. Startled I looked up disoriented to see the bunk bed above me. Where was I? Still groggy the anxious realization overtook me; I start my Camino in a couple hours. The sound of assorted snoring bounced off walls in the Albergue. The creak of bunk beds filled the room as well.