It is a strange thing to come home.

While yet on the journey,

you cannot at all realize how strange it will be.

Selma Lagerlof

I have been home for about a week from my "accidental pilgrimage" to Santiago de Compostela in the heart of the Spanish countryside.

I say "accidental" because I had no idea what this journey was going to do to me. I thought I was going on a fun, adventurous trip with friends. Just a trip, you know? I thought we would walk and talk and laugh and see a beautiful part of the world together.

And we did those things. Oh yes, we did!

Little did I know, however, that Camino magic would seep into my soul.

Little did I know that beauty would overwhelm me at every turn.

Little did I know that my heart and soul and body would come alive in unanticipated ways.

Little did I know that coming home to a life I loved so much would be difficult.

Little did I know that I was going on a pilgrimage.

That I would become a pilgrim ... a person on a profound spiritual journey.

The work now is to remember the lessons of the Camino, to work out which ones were for the moment and which ones might be for a lifetime, to discern how to assimilate new truths into my old life.

Little did I know that coming home from the Camino would offer such rich and fertile soil for new life to grow.

More soon, my friends.

Until then, Buen Camino, as we said on the path.

Good journey.