In my backpack
Today’s walk gets me thinking about what’s in my pack. It always feels heavy in the morning and usually heavier by afternoon. I’m only carrying the essentials–toiletries, high-tech clothing (thanks to REI and Eddie Bauer), a keyboard that connects with my smartphone for blogging (you can’t type on a touch pad), and two special items: a small pouch and Big Chiwawa (not chihuahua, mind you), Nathaniel’s stuffed bear.
Inside the pouch, you’ll find my metaphysical collection. For example, there’s Nan’s Good Fellowship Ambulance Club badge, a folded blue crane for peace, a jade Chinese monkey charm for healing and energy given to me by Eileen L.’s parents, a metal of Mary given to Ginny S. by Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta, John W.’s precious metal from several Chartres labyrinth retreats, a 4-leaf clover for extra good luck sent by Raechel H., a small black rock that will be left at Orient Point this Sunday, and a second small rock, this one gray, with the word “Grace” inscribed on it, destined for Boston Harbor In June. Its match, a smaller gray stone, but this one with the word “Courage,” is now walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain in Chris S.’s pack and it will be left at the foot of the Cruz de Ferro this coming Sunday. A Lincoln penny somehow made it into my collection. It was handed to me by a Shipley student as I passed the human line-up during my visit at the school. So, as you can see, this pouch contains a spiritual powerhouse. No wonder my backpack is weighing me down.
As for Big, well he’s the guest of honor on this pilgrimage. How Nathaniel loved this tan & white Gund Bear. His fur on the right side of his back has been worn down with Nathaniel’s rubbings of love. Big and Little (Carrie’s Gund Bear) have a very close relationship. Little is already well-traveled, but Big stayed close to home like his owner. However, he did serve Nathaniel faithfully, and even stayed close to him on the day Nathaniel died.
Since then, however, he’s been traveling a little more. Last May he went to Carrie’s college graduation at Earlham, followed by a pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago a week later. He saw his younger cousin Conor graduate from high school in NH last June, and now is in my backpack honoring his master once again. He’s gotten mad at me only twice since we left Cheyney in April. Being hermetically sealed in a 2-gallon ziplock bag for rain protection is an insult to his strong sense of freedom.
Today I let him peek out of Carrie’s backpack at lunch near a waterfall. Freedom at last! However, he just sighs, grateful to be with me on the Camino de Nathaniel, but he so misses his best friend. But when you’re a faithful bear, you do what you have to do to honor your best friend. And he is.
