The Camino Connection: Connecting with Life and Commemorating a Death while Walking on the Camino de Santiago

In the pursuit of healing on ancient trails, every step uncovers a world beyond regrets…

After my son died, I wondered if traversing the Camino de Santiago, the same pilgrimage as Tom did in the movie, The Way, might bring me healing from grief just as it did for him. At age 70, I knew this might be my last chance to try. This is the story of how my journey through Spain brought me healing.

Walking on the Camino de Santiago taught me that life is never what you thought it would be, so you make something special out of what you are given.

In a world marked by family separations, community divisions, and spiritual severance, how relevant is a place where you can find a common bond with others that surpasses nationality, ethnicity, language, background, wealth, or position?

I found that place while walking a dirt-covered trail between rows of red poppies and grapevines, down cobbled lanes, past stone-faced churches with arch-covered bells that rang when the moment was right. I felt rain on my face and wind at my back. I climbed up and down rock-covered hills and made my way through eucalyptus forests. I gazed down cliffs at spectacular scenes and walked across ancient bridges. But, by far, it was the people I met along the way who helped me the most with healing…

Take the first step on a transformative journey by discovering the healing power of the Camino de Santiago in the pages of this book.

Lele Beutel and her husband, Mike, enjoy traveling to new places and have found that, with each excursion, come opportunities to make a difference in people's lives and have your own life changed by theirs. Walking on the Camino de Santiago was one such adventure for Lele. As a "secret agent" for God, He often leads her into unexpected situations where she's able to connect with others. Before retirement, she spent 25 years as a financial advisor and was able to encourage many people mentally, spiritually, and financially through her faith-based advice. Now, she and her husband spend time with their two dogs, Andey and Barney, with grandkids, and as volunteers at their church. They also share experiences with their life group members and the neighbors they meet while walking the dogs. Other books she has written include: What God Wants You to Know, a 365-day devotional that reveals God's heart as related in passages from Genesis through Revelation, From a Secret Place, a daily devotional with questions and answers to and from God that came from 20 years of journaling, The Reignbreaker, a young adult fantasy, Flora's Story, about a young German refugee who miraculously escapes and survives both the Nazi and Russian regimes of Germany during WWII, and three books of poetry: Lele's Lovesongs: Words of hope for the ones we love, Lele's Sighs: Reflections and Recollections, and Lele's Selah: Prayerful Poems that Inspire Hope. To reach her, you can find her on Facebook. Or email her at: apedersen6@comcast.net. She would love to hear from you!