Returning Empty Handed, Forever Changed
Returning Empty Handed, Forever Changed
by David J. Larwa | Brighton, MI
I recently shared some pictures from my Camino. One picture was of my stone at the Cruz de Ferro.
My stone, I explained, was one of tens of thousands left by pilgrims for centuries. Pilgrims bring a stone from home or pick up a stone which they leave at the cross. This act symbolizes the release of burdens and challenges, and marks a moment of thought and reflection. Each stone is one wish of the heart or one tear of the soul.
How do I explain my singular stone among all the other Camino stones? Perhaps by knowing people throughout history have found stones to be special.
There is a Jewish tradition of leaving stones on a grave. The origins are lost to time. It is believed the stones help to keep the spirit and soul in place. Heritage and wisdom understand beautiful flowers at the grave will wilt and die. A stone will not die. A stone placed at a grave symbolizes the permanence of thought and memory.
Oskar Schindler’s final resting place is at a Catholic Franciscan cemetery on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. I read it is easy to find because of all the stones placed atop the grave by pilgrims of all faiths.
The Black Stone of Mecca is a Muslim object of worship. This stone is found within the Great Mosque of Mecca. Legend says a white stone was given to Adam when he fell from grace. This stone has turned black from taking the sins away from millions of pilgrims who have touched and kissed the stone.
Stones have history, tradition, and personal significance for so many people.
What about my stone? My stone was a tektite, a pebble-like, often-black, glassy object believed to be formed from earthen material that becomes molten and airborne from a meteorite impact, and then rapidly cools as it falls back to Earth. Put another way: sand and rocks leave home, take a trip and are impacted by a force beyond their control, and then return home, forever changed. A fitting metaphor for the pilgrim experience.
So, what did I bring home from the Camino? Nothing! But I returned home, forever changed.
Editor’s note: David Larwa also contributed a reflection in our Summer 2024 La Concha.
