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Anthem
The birds they sang
at the break of day.
Start again
I heard them say.
Don't dwell on what
has passed away
or what has yet to be.
Ah the wars they will
be fought again.
The holy dove
She will be caught again
bought and sold
and bought again
the dove is never free.
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in.
We asked for signs
the signs were sent:
the birth betrayed
the marriage spent.
Yeah the widowhood
of every government
signs for all to see.
I can't run no more
with that lawless crowd
while the killers in high places
say their prayers out loud.
But they've summoned up
a thundercloud
and they are going to hear from me.
You can add up the parts
but you won't have the sum.
You can strike up the march,
there is no drum.
Every heart, every heart
to love will come
but like a refugee.
Leonard Cohen.
**************************************
I have never enjoyed birthdays; I have never enjoyed being the center of attention, from my experience a dangerous place to be. Anthem by Leonard Cohen is one of my all time favorite songs. It has powerful lyrics and speaks in many ways to me. It always has a very positive effect on me. Today I need to put its lyrics into practice, to help me celebrate my birthday.
The day started for me at around 05:30 when I went out to feel my connection with the universe under the super moon! Sadly overnight the sky had filled with cloud and the super moon was hidden. I felt the connection anyhow!
As my fellow pilgrims began to rise around 6 am, I was taken totally by surprise to be greeted to wonderful hugs; kisses and hand shake to wish me well on my birthday! I was so overwhelmed with this I am still in shock but also so overjoyed with the sense of belonging and community. What a way to start day five of the Camino and it is not yet dawn.
As we set out from Puente la Riena, I was being greeted with birthday wishes from strangers. There were two others also celebrating their birthdays, a Danish woman (Connie) of 62, and an Australian boy (Isaac) of 15.
I felt I needed some space to walk on my own and after a little while I got detached from the group. I wasn't long on my own long went I befriended a Canadian lady (Anny-Sandra) and we walked together for the next four hours or so. Her husband had died 18 months ago and that was her motivation for being here! We had a really good chat and I was very happy when she changed her plan slightly and decided to stay in the same hostel with us tonight.
I really enjoyed today's walk, it's still just 4 pm as I write this and I feel that this is just such a beautiful experience. Plans are afoot to arrange for a special mass for our group by the two priests that have also been part of this walking group. Sarah has booked a restaurant for 19:30 for about 15 people for my birthday & party, Amazing!
The two priests doing the Camino said an outdoor mass by the banks of the river; it was very intimate and beautiful. They prayed for me on my birthday which was lovely. As I type I am ready to head out for my birthday dinner and party. We have a table booked for 22 so it should be good fun.
Dinner was wonderful with 28 turning up, Irish, English, French, Italian, German, Korean, and American & Canadian. It was so lovely to hear happy birthday sung in so many languages! I am also overwhelmed and emotional have gone to the trouble of writing cards for me and also getting little gifts for me. Anny-Sandra and I are the last to get back to the albergue just before curfew at 10pm.
A special thanks to everyone who wished me happy birthday by phone, text, Facebook and in person, a day never to be forgotten!
Buen Camino
- comments
Lucia What a lovely way to spend your birthday - sending you song and celebrations from Ireland too XXX
Helen O'Leary Sounds like the best birthday ever, you deserve it, xxxx
Andrew Sounds like your enjoying the trip, happy birthday!
Mary Definitely on my "to do" list...some experience!.., glad you had such a wonderful birthday, the memories will last forever.... Buen Camino
Claire a birthday to remember. good for you