Listening Is an Act of Lightening
Listening Is an Act of Lightening
by Thomas Labuzienski | South Bend, IN
“Listening is an act of love.”
– David Isay, Story Corps founder
“To know someone’s pain is to share in it. And to share in it is to relieve some of it.”
– Nnedi Okorafo, writer
During my recent stint volunteering at the Pilgrim’s Reception Office in Santiago de Compostela and as an hospitalero, I was inspired by the thousands of passionate pilgrims I met and who shared their innermost challenges and joys.
As I listened to their deeply personal stories, I felt lighter because of the strength of human connection and because hearing their stories distracted me from my own concerns. I also found purpose in perhaps providing them some relief from their sorrows or to help them celebrate their joys. Hearing about others’ inspirational pilgrimages made me feel lighter and less alone. It’s a blessing to have the trust and insights of another. Sharing laughter and tears in the Pilgrim’s Reception Office made the five hours of daily volunteering speed by.
I am most grateful and fortunate to have connected with so many on the Camino. The Australian who walked the Camino on crutches after having lost a leg to cancer. The Californian with Parkinson’s disease experiencing the Camino. A German who couldn’t walk, so used a special bicycle to make the Camino. Dozens of pilgrims who walked alone in memory of their deceased spouse. Parents who had lost children, including a mother from the Netherlands who tied hundreds of green ribbons along the way to memorialize her 17-year-old son. The bravery of recently diagnosed cancer patients or those celebrating remission. Every day on my way to volunteer, I’d stop by the Santiago market to buy fresh flowers to give to these special souls. Every day I felt lighter, inspired, and lucky to have gained from these experiences.
The Camino always needs more hospitaleros. If you are interested in volunteering, get more info on our Hospitalero page and check out previous Camino volunteer stories in La Concha.