Happy birthday to me, I think to myself as I open my eyes. My 65^th birthday. I’m experiencing it while on the walk of a lifetime.

A friend texted that she had lunch with a small group of women. They had asked about me and commented that I’m amazing – a 65-year-old woman traveling the Camino alone. I decided to take that to heart, to believe it, to own it. Ah yes, I am an amazing woman. I’m in awe of what I’ve done. Last year I had it in my heart to celebrate my 65th on the Camino. Mission accomplished. It’s such a good feeling to have achieved what I set out to do.