A Journey of Gratitude
A Journey of Gratitude
by George Collins | Wesley Chapel, NC
Written with the help of my speech therapist
I first heard about the Camino from Aaron. Aaron was my friend who had planned for 11 years to walk the Camino. He watched and read everything he could find about the Camino. Aaron died on June 11, 2022. He was 46 years old. He had a heart attack on the Camino between Torres del Rio and Viana, Spain.
At his funeral, I said, “I’m going to hike the Camino Francés in one year in memory of Aaron.” But I would need help.
On September 15, 2018, I suffered a severe stroke, resulting in aphasia. I have difficulty with math, speaking, writing, reading, and comprehension. I was 57 years old, on no medication, and loved exercising. Unknown to me, I had a congenital clotting disorder and a small hole in my heart that caused my stroke. My friend John offered to help me tackle the Camino. One year after Aaron died, John and I walked in his footsteps, following the same route and schedule.
I love the Camino. Hike, food, laundry, sleep. Simple.
On the Camino, I felt peace and incredibly grateful. I am alive! I am grateful for God, my wife Shellie, family and friends, speech therapy, sunrises and sunsets, and the trail beneath my feet.
Traveling is hard. A lot of people, talking fast, and sensory overload makes it difficult for me to understand. But on the Camino, it is a different world; calm, quiet, and people are so nice. I found my “tribe.” Many people I met spoke English as a second language and were happy to speak with me at a slower pace. My slow speech turned from a curse to a blessing. The Camino provided another angel to speak with me, a speech therapist, Silvia.
The Camino helped me see how my stroke has made my life even richer, forcing me to accept the help of others. My stroke has made me grateful for every day.
We finished our hike exactly one year after Aaron passed. While I was on the trail, praying where he died, a young couple was in Italy welcoming their baby boy into the world. They had met Aaron on the Camino and were with him there the day he died. In our lost friend’s honor, the boy was named Aaron. Welcome, little Aaron. We love you!
