Peace on the road

On the road to Los Arcos

"I'm not sure where I'm going.

Can't you give me a sign?

What's that? Peace? Why, yes, Lord.

This road is full of peace. It hangs in the air.

It's everywhere. You mean that's it?

Peace is the sign I'm on the right road?"

~in "Psalms for the Road"

by Joy Cowley

a New Zealand writer

Actually, the afternoon of the day I walked to Los Arcos,

the road on which this beautiful photo was taken,

turned out to be a 'hard day'.

For no apparent reason I felt despondent

as if I was 'lost' on the winding road

that held no signs of any village or farmhouse,

as if I would never arrive to sanctuary that afternoon.

Maybe part of the reason was simply that I was dehydrated.

But when I arrived, I was 'nurtured'

by a wonderful group of Irishmen who shared dinner with me,

and a gentle massage therapist who worked wonders on my legs and ankles.

I felt despondent, and some simple kindnesses worked wonders.

Thanks to my angels.