If you read my page entitled ”Why”, I introduced you to my older brother as one reason I wanted to hike the Camino. He is such a strong person. He wanted to ride his motorcycle to Alaska as a challenge and by golly he did it. For about three years I have been planning my challenge which is the Camino. After setbacks getting to Europe the date was finally set for June 13 and today is June 13. For three years Rod always asked how my plans were going, was I training, am I still planning on going. He was genuinely interested in me and my plans even as he was in the hospital since last July.
Towards the end of the Camino there is a place with a cross along the trail. For probably hundreds of years people have brought a rock with them to represent their burden and leave that burden at the foot of the cross. I am carrying this rock with me to leave at the foot of the cross. You can see that my dear brother died three days before I am leaving for my challenge.
I recently read a book that Dee had found about a Mennonite man from Ohio that hiked the Camino and the AT both. People would ask him why he is hiking and he said that his answer was always the same, ”cancer”. You see his wife had died of cancer and he decided to get away and talk to God and heal. My new answer for people who wonder or ask why I’m hiking 530 miles is now to say ”My Brother”.
I love you and miss you brother Rod.