That’s the line that Shakespeare’s Hamlet says in response to his mother’s quick remarriage after his father’s death. Hamlet, and I suppose Shakespeare are talking about an emotional frailty not her physical stamina. But that line has been dogging (no pun intended and you’ll soon see why I say that) for the last week.
Last week I called my youngest daughter and asked if I could spend some time with my grandson. He’s two years old. My husband is out of town and since my time is all my own I thought it would be perfect. It turns out that her husband was also out of town so it was doubly ideal that I was available.
We set a time for 1:00 pm as they have a nanny in the morning so I could be at their home when she dropped him off. Then my daughter asked if I could come a little early to take their dog Coco for a walk. I love dogs and said yes.
Coco is a beautiful mixed breed dog that they found at a shelter. I don’t know her make up, but she’s a short haired hound that probably weighs about 40 pounds. This is in contrast to my Pico, a Maltese/Shih Tzu who weighs 12 pounds.
So I showed up early and took Coco for a walk.
That evening I told my daughter that Coco and I were fine but whereas I just hold the leash so Pico can’t wander too much I wasn’t prepared for how hard Coco could tug on the leash. That’s when she told me her husband was concerned about me walking Coco because I’m such a “dainty woman”
What?! 😮 Dainty?! Me???
How can I walk the Camino if I’m dainty? I need to be tough. The soles of my feet must be like leather, my muscles strong, my stamina unsurpassed. I can’t be dainty!
Dainty prances around but can’t possible climb a mountain. Dainty will melt in the rain or wither in the heat!
What if I really am dainty and can’t walk the Camino? Yesterday I walked 13.5 miles and today I walked 6.3 miles. Now I have a blister on my little toe and it hurts. I limped from the parking lot to the Apple Store to take a videography class this afternoon and it hurt 😖😫😟
Please God, give me strength and courage to make this pilgrimage. Walk beside me and hold my hand when it gets tough. Turn this fear to peace. And God…help my blister to heal quickly. Amen
Psalm 28:7 (NRSV)
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts;
so I am helped, and my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.
Note: I had great time with my grandson 🤗
One day I decided to go for a walk... 