Today I met pilgrims.
So, I was running (breathing through the nose) along a usual track when I saw four men with rucksacks toiling up the hill toward me.
Hello! I said, Where are you going?
Only to East Haddon, they said, but we're part of a much bigger pilgrimage.
Pilgrimage? I asked, rather thrilled. Where to?
This, they told me was a pilgrims' path - the Via Beata. I'd never heard of it. Seems it's a kind of new one... you can read more about it here.
These men were Christians, it turned out... not so surprisingly. I told them about Linda walking the Compostela one and they said she could walk this one. I said no, because she's dead. That went down like a lead balloon. But, I added, she had walked on this part of the Via Beata.
They asked if I had faith and I said no, but that if I did, my god would be just the fact that there's something rather than nothing and this part of it's beautiful and I can experience it. Nature, I guess.
So they asked if they could pray for me. I accepted. Why not? I had reiki and I don't believe in that either. So they asked what i wanted them to pray for? I considered, depression, despair, old dog, Masters, work, money, painless death... and said I feel empty inside.
So one man started up with, St Augustine said that the soul will always be restless until it comes to rest in Thee. Lord, in Your infinite love, help Issy find peace.
This was very nice. I was all set with my Amen, when another started to add his prayers.
May Issy, who is blessed by seeing the beauty of Thy creation, Lord, find peace in her heart, Lord, for You, with infinite patience and love, Lord, with infinite power, Lord, can find the way to ease all hearts, Lord. And Issy feels this connection with nature, Lord, the glory that You created, Lord...
This went on.... and on.... and on.... and every time I was set with my Amen he added more. So much so that two of the other Christians started making little coughing sounds of warning or impatience.
Finally, it was over. Amen we all said, and thank you, I said and God bless I said and God bless they said and off we went on our separate ways.
I almost feel like going on the pilgrimage. But I think the Wildlife Trust might ease my soul more.
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