2003 "Wild and Free" being aware "There is Always Change"
I feel blessed and I am grateful for having friend, Mark in my life, I love and appreciate Mark for just being Mark. It's through our sharing; be it by mail, by phone or our in person visits... that we always encourage and are supportive of one another.
It was through Mark's and my sharing, encouragement and support that led to the 500 mile Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage May 6, to June 30, 2003 for my daughter, Heather and myself. We walked from St Jean Pied de Port, France by way of Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees into Spain from there it was... Onward... Ever onward to Santiago de Compostela.
Rafael, Heather, Maria, Andy
Heather and I appreciate Andy and Rafael's help and words of encouragement with the preparation of our Camino!!!! And we would always look forward to their emails along the road to Santiago.
Rafael Chacon and Andy Laue headed out just one year prior May 6, 2002 to walk their Camino de Santiago.
Ultreia
May 3, 2003 daughter, Heidi's baby shower. Our first grandchild, Caitlyn is due to arrive on July 9, 2003
Wayne and I celebrated our 30th Anniversary on April 14, 2003!!!
I feel blessed and I am grateful for having partner, Wayne in my life, I love and appreciate Wayne for just being Wayne. Through the years we have always made the most of our best. We learn as we go; in love, in light, in forgiveness. We both encourage individual and our together growth...and we honor difference being open to Life.
<-- Wayne "Big W" chillin'
Mi marido querido, muchisimas gracias, te doy una sonrisa y muchos besitos. Te quiero siempre, Maria
"That which shrinks must first expand.
That which fails must first be strong.
That which is cast down must first be raised.
Before receiving there must be giving."
—Tao Te Ching
Carpe diem (CAR-pay DEE-um) "Seize the day"
Olga Dickie
The popular start Point in France is St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, on the other side of the Pyrenees from Spain. We both turned "50" in 2003 on the road to Santiago.
Cheers!! To the good times…
Friends of the road
Olivia and Richard Giles: They are posing with a pilgrim in 2001 standing in front of Santiago's Cathedral. Heather and I met up with them walking their 2nd Camino de Santiago 2003. Nothing quite describes the emotion one feels when climbing those steps to the main entrance the first time and you come face to face with 1188 Portico de la Gloria or when you place your hand in/on the Tree of Jesse under the statue of St James while reflecting on how many hands it must have taken to wear the stone into this shape. Ultreia
Heather and I arrived safely in Montana receiving a happy and a welcome homecoming. Much has transpired, much has transformed and continues to unfold, as is customary with such a journey and life altering experience. Letting go of what no longer serves us on the road to Santiago; then overcome by all the challenges we each experience in the process involved in implementing. Letting go of all the stuff! Replacing the negative conditioning by embracing the positives in life.
Heather: "On the road to Santiago I realized what my relationship lacked. With awareness I accept, Mike and I want very different things. I decided it was time to close that chapter of my life. Now I move forward and choose to focus only on what is important to me and on what makes me happy. Like my little feline friend Nickie. The main lessons I have learned on this journey is; I do not need anyone in my life that is not willing to provide me with the basic fundamentals for a successful relationship. I have faith; that the things necessary in my personal life will be provided."
Maria: "Throughout my growing up years and my adult life there has been difficulty for most to pronounce my first name correctly. There were a couple of strong connecting points and validations I made while on the road to Santiago with regards to my name. Notably, were the occasions when we would enter a hostel; exhausted, dirty and in pain from the days journey Heather would help me retrieve my passport from my pack pocket to hand to the clerk. They would open it; read my name correctly out loud, "Eveline Maria Smith" then proceed to look at me with approval and compassion say, "Sie Maria."
One's name does reflect who we are now and also strengthens the path of who we are to become in the future. In a much deeper sense, our name defines how we see and feel about ourselves. Once home, I requested my family and friends to address me by my middle name, Maria.
Caitlyn Jean Whyte born on July 9, 2003 our angel baby
Caitie Bear & Grumpa
Auntie Heather & Caitlyn
Nana and her angel baby Caitlyn
Dove Lullaby May the wings of the dove enfold you. Safe may they always hold you. Angels and guides watch over you. May your dreams be of miraculous things; Now sleep peacefully within its wings. ~m~
Eva Judith Gerardis 09/14/1947-07/10/2003
Eva's daughter, Luana shared with me that "Her Journey's Just Begun" was her mother's all time favorite poem:
Her Journey's Just Begun By Ellen Brenneman
Don't think of her as gone away her journey's just begun. Life holds so many facets this earth is only one.
Just think of her as resting from the sorrows and the tears. In a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and tears.
Think how she must be wishing that we could know today. How nothing but our sadness can really pass away.
And think of her as living in the hearts of those she touched… For nothing loved is ever lost and she was loved so much.
Eva knew what it is to be a friend.
In 1999 when my daughter Heidi was in crises and had to be flown back and forth from Seattle, WA for three major surgeries along with pre and post check ups to save her foot. Eva made the effort to visit and sit with Heidi. On her visit she brought Heidi yellow roses laced in red, meaning love & friendship.
During this year Wayne had to concentrate on work obligations, help care for the animals along with healing his own broken foot. It was during this difficult time that Eva and Mark were angels. It is true, "In time of crisis one learns quickly whose one's friends are." Each one in their own way helped me to think my noblest thoughts, to put forth my best efforts and to be my best self. Their doing so provided the support and understanding required so that I could be there for my daughter, Heidi.
I remember the afternoon when Eva phoned to ask if she could come by my house and visit awhile. I knew something was up when she brought me a long stem yellow rose laced in red. We hugged and she announced, "Eve it's beautiful out lets go and sit by the water to talk. We meandered down to the lower deck making small talk about our work and our daughters; then sat quietly for a while just enjoying the sunshine and the moment (the language without words).
I asked, "What's wrong Eva?"
Then she took my hand and said, "My cancer has returned."
I started to weep and she comforted me, "Don't cry for me Eve we all die one day. I'm going to try to heal. I want to live. It's okay Eve when it's my time I'm not afraid to die, I have my faith. It is beautiful here, this day, this time together that's what friends do."
Eva was both encouraging and happy for me when I shared that Mark and I were going to Spain and walk the Camino de Santiago. I always loved to hear her laugh and to talk she had the most wonderful Hungarian accent. "Eve, you will see it will be beautiful you think of me. NO! For once you go and enjoy just for Eve and I think of you. You see it be beautiful!"
When Mark declined just two months prior to our departure I felt devastated. My spirit and preparations halted; then Heather stepped into take his place. I could talk with Eva she's from the old country, we shared some similar humbling experiences in our childhood beginnings. Eva's health was rapidly failing, she was having to use oxygen, walker and wheelchair. Typical of Eva she was more concerned about me not walking every day to prepare for my Camino de Santiago than for herself.
One Saturday; it was a beautiful day, I was downstairs posting paperwork on my computer when Wayne came running down the stairs (he never runs) with excitement in his voice, "You have to come outside right now!"
When I walked outside my front door I couldn't believe my eyes! There seated in her wheelchair was Eva with her husband, Pompeo prepared to push and walk behind. She exclaimed in her wonderful Hungarian accent, "Ah Eve! What you doing inside on this beautiful day! Come you walk along with me now you need to do this every day!"
There is a small clearing at the end of a cul-de-sac with a path and a footbridge that led to a wooded area by the Bitterroot River. When we reached this spot Eva had Pompeo brace her wheelchair as she stood and locked her arm in mine. She was so frail now. "Come you and me Eve we walk a ways alone now. You spend time walking in nature Eve you see you feel better soon. Heather and you will have beautiful time, this is a beautiful thing you do together, but you need to walk now everyday!"
We walked about a 100 feet then turned around once seated in her chair we walked and wheeled the remainder around the lake in all it was about 1.5 miles. During our walk she looked up at me and said, "You must remember one thing Eve; you are a kind person, you have a kind heart so you must be very careful." This is a journey that lives on in my heart and soul. Eva taught me the true meaning to what it means to have a friend you must be a friend.
Eva seemed to take a turn for the better after our day's journey; it was as if she became a walking miracle. She began to drive and walk on her own again. There were times she would even work an hour. Eva and I would meet for a coffee or lunch. There was this one-day just prior to Heather returning home for our Spain departure; it was a beautiful afternoon. Eva phoned my office to fetch me away; we went walking for three hours; the time passed too quickly we were enjoying our visit and the sunshine.
On May 3, 2003 Eva attended the baby shower that Heather and I held for Heidi. She made a point to show me the rose quartz stone (it represents love) I had given her; it was in her pocket. Once while I was in Spain she phoned Wayne to check on how he was and how Heather and I were doing in Spain. She wanted Wayne to let us know Luana was coming home and that she was doing okay. When I phoned and Wayne shared their visit with me I lit a candle in church and thought of Eva how much her kindness and friendship touched my heart and soul. I appreciated her time; of course, I love and I care, it is my nature to do so. Mark phoned the morning of Eva's funeral on July 15, 2003 it meant a lot to me to receive his call on this day...
Believe, dream, will…and put it in the hands of God.
Born on Oct. 2,1931 Past on Oct. 25, 2003
Mom, Princess & Big "W"
Al, my step father past away in October. We are thankful for and will remember the laughter and the good times.
God grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.
June 28, 2003 Daughter,
Today and always, please know that I see you. I see the path you've made that's all your own. I see the many unique talents and gifts you have to share. I see your brilliance, your enthusiasm, and how deeply you care and hurt sometimes. I see your hard-earned wisdom, your soft pure innocence, your courage and compassion, your unconditional goodness. I see what a difference you make in this world, and I hope you know how very much I love you, and how proud I'll always be to have a daughter as wonderful as you.
Love, Mama
Ronnie, Mom, Princess & Maria
"Maria, sometimes love hurts and sometimes it makes you cry, but life isn't living without it."
Heather earned her SAG (Screen Actors Guild) membership without representation; with her own efforts, talents and hard work in the ballroom dance scenes of Disney's "Haunted Mansion." Released Thanksgiving holiday 2003. We love you Heather and we are proud and happy for you. Congratulations! ~Hold an image of the life you want, and that image will become fact.~
Top: Molinaseca & chapel on way to Samos Bottom: Pamplona's Plaza del Castillo & Hotel La Perla lobby. 217 was Ernest Hemingway's room.
White Shell Woman
Boiling wave-like unfurling across the sand she births the water calling to her children who snorting with squeals glide to her like sun rays on raptures of waves she is framed holy and fearful white caps rolling like hills support her slender feet shells flying from her hands land like arrows in a target releasing the swelling music floating now she gentles like a feather sleeping in a bower rocked by prism light. Navajos named the water goddess WHITE SHELL WOMAN
"Big W," myself, Heather and Helen (age 82) Wayne's mother traveled to Heidi, Chuck and Caitlyn's home in Idaho to celebrate Caitlyn's very first Thanksgiving.
"Big W" and I traveled to California to spend Christmas with Heather. Both of us wanting to check out her new apartment. *Awesome!* Driving, we headed back to MT by way of Sedona, AZ and the Painted desert, NM.
Mark and I had a phone visit New Years Eve 2003. We enjoyed 'n joy sharing... he had just returned from his own journey.
"And so it is... life is good."
Wayne and I celebrated our New Years Eve 2003 with a wonderful dinner, garnished with a bit of the local charm and entertainment of Taos, New Mexico. Cheers!
On New Years Day while driving through Colorado Wayne and I made it a point to stop just long enough to have a peek in on our property. It was a lovely day, a beautiful sunset displaying an amazing Angel cloud formation.
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Olga Dickie
