Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! If you are lucky enough to be with your mom physically, give her a big hug. If not, give her a call, video chat, or thoughts of gratitude if she’s no longer with you.
I’m missing my mother so much lately, especially since we would have been in Santiago de Compostela today. We would have arrived in Madrid on Thursday, May 7th, spent two nights there, followed by two nights in Santiago where I was excited to show her some of my favorite places and pilgrim traditions. We were all set to spend our 10th annual mother-daughter trip on a tour of Northern Spain. And the itinerary looked fantastic! 
We looked forward to traveling through my favorite areas in Spain and making new memories together. There was even an optional excursion to walk part of the Camino! Obviously, we had to cancel this due to the Coronavirus. We have vouchers to do this tour at some point when it’s safe to travel again. Insight Vacation’s tour of Northern Spain starts in Madrid and ends in Barcelona. Per our tradition, when the tour ends, mom flies home to Las Vegas, as I embark on another short Camino. I was very much looking forward to walking the Camino Portugués Coastal from Oia, Spain and taking the Spiritual Variant. Sigh. These were good plans.
Alas, travel and Camino dreams are deferred for now. That’s okay because there’s a lot to be grateful for! Like mothers. Here’s a photo of my mom opening her bakery treats I ordered for her from a new gluten-free bakery in Las Vegas.
I tag-teamed with my sister to deliver the goods: Cinnamon rolls, cheesecakes, and quiche. All gluten-free!
We’re going to have a video call later today, and another family call with my mother-in-law. I have been sending both of my moms links to videos of my parish masses each week. Here’s Father Leo’s mass for May 10, 2020 – 5th Sunday of Easter
If church isn’t your thing, but you enjoy good hymns, advance the video to 8:13 mins to hear a lovely rendition of Psalm 33: “Let your love be upon us, O lord. We hope in you! We hope in you!” See the song sheet (PDF) for Mother’s Day.
Statue of Mother Mary atop the foothills of the Pyrenees, just outside of Orisson (photo courtesy of Michelle & Andreas and featured in “Our Camino Love Story“
How are you spending Mother’s Day? Let me know in the comments below.
Ultreia!
Laurie
Make the most of your at-home Camino journey:
Your Inner Camino: Your Pocket Guide to Inspiration and Transformation Along the Camino de Santiago
Available in Kindle from https://amzn.to/2SfL2Yx
You don’t have to be on the Camino to benefit from this book. It’s a guide to personal development and change. The insights and suggestions apply to anyone looking for answers or more aliveness in their life, and those wanting new ways of managing and responding positively to the inevitable changes that life brings. It’s like having a personal coach, a comedian and a therapist right in your pocket for easy access.
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or Kindle: https://amzn.to/2SfL2Yx
Mother’s Day Special on patches
For the month of May, buy one patch, get one free! Simply write “Mother’s Day” in order notes and I’ll double your order (while supplies last) through May 31. Order at Etsy.com/shop/caminoprovides
The Camino Provides 
Sorry that you had to cancel your Mother-Daughter trip, and happy that you have a mother around to enjoy planning and traveling with.
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Laurie: What a beautiful post you’ve sent on Mother’s Day. But the most impressive of all is how beautiful your mother is, filled with love and light. I will see my daughter today (for a distanced dessert only) along with my grand daughter Elena, for whom I wrote the book “Grandma’s on ;the Camino” Thank you so much for your sustained efforts to explore the mysteries and lure of the Camino and share those with us on your very professional posts.
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