Our writing teacher, Laura Davis, gave us an interesting assignment as we hike our way along the Camino.

‘What do you carry with you?’

Outside my gray and red Gregory backpack hangs a scallop shell tied with a yellow thread so people will recognize me as a pilgrim along the Camino. I have a patch that say Camigas, representing female friends on the Camino together.

I carry sunglasses, my pilgrim passport, a rose-colored Patagonia rain jacket, blister bandages, electrolyte powder, lip balm, and Advil.

I carry the spirit of my mother along the way. She’s been gone for nearly 30 years. But her love is alive and well.

‘Casey, you have my spirit. Go out and have adventures I could not have’.

We walk through old towns and ancient villages, and visit churches where we have our pilgrim passports stamped. We walk along manure scented country roads, greeting the local cows and lazy dogs lying in their yards.

Purple heather abounds on these mountain paths. The sky is brilliant blue and wispy white clouds resemble angel wings. We walk up a steep stony path to four thousand year old Celtic ruins on a mountain top. It’s quiet except for the breeze through the trees and the spirits of the people who built the dwellings thousands of years ago wafting in the wind. We sit in silence to write, sketch or simply bask in the peace.

As we walk, we carry with us the depth of who we are and the people we love. We carry a stone from home to signify the burdens we want to release on this pilgrimage. We will leave the stone at our final destination in Santiago.

I pull out my favorite pink ball cap bought in Yosemite several years ago and put it on.

‘Be Wild’ the cap says.

I’m reminded of my mother’s wish for me as I step out into the road, carrying her spirit along.