We made it to Rome!

At the Vatican with our Testimonia
-- issued to pilgrims who have
completed the Via Francigena.

We made it to Rome.  This pilgrimage is done.  

Here are a few final thoughts -- in our final blog post until the next adventure:

We walked in gratitude – recognizing all over again the blessings in our lives.  Our wonderful family, the lovely town we live in, our friends…our faith.  Our health.  Every mile to Rome made this clearer.  

Our final stamp at the Vatican

We let go of expectations.  The Via Francigena is magical in its own way...we soon stopped comparing it to the Camino de Santiago in Spain.  We learned to appreciate the moment and the experience -- right now.  

God equals boundless love – God shows himself to each of us in his own way.  

For me, it’s been through the Catholic Church – the spirituality and the sacraments deepen my relationship with God.  But that’s my path.  Others feel boundless love in different ways.  Worship in different ways.  Even see God differently.  It’s all part of the great mystery.  John and I are blessed to share a deep faith – even though we worship differently. 

Children are amazing -- Everywhere we went we were drawn to the children…playing…laughing…somehow speaking Italian!  It’s like we’ve been given a new connection with the future.  We see our grandchildren in every child. 

Meg inspired us – John’s oldest daughter Meg (my daughter through sheer love) has a unique ability to embrace every moment – she is boundless positive energy.  

She jumped right in to living in Luxembourg with four kids...where they don’t really speak English.   She laughs and is flexible when facing a challenge.  

We tried to bring some of that Megan spirit on this trip.  When we didn’t understand what was happening – we thought of Meg.  When we were uncomfortable because of language barriers – we thought of Meg.  Meg’s light kept us open to the adventure. 

We love English Springer Spaniels 
like this little girl.  Who will she be?  
Dixie? Miss Chicory? 
Sister LuLu? Who knows?

We’re ready to get a dog – that might like a random thought, but its part of settling in to our new life.  Realizing that we have room for that kind of commitment – welcoming a completely different kind of adventure.  

We have more adventures in us – there will be a time when we choose a different style of travel…but for now, we’re blessed with energy, health and most of all curiosity.  We’re ready to learn more about the world.  

We really like each other – we laughed a lot…at ourselves…at our crazy situations.  In the midst of stress (exhausted after walking 18 miles, hungry, lost…) we were never cross with each other.  We were in it together.  We had fun.