BEING SEVENTY

You have a lot of time to think when you are walking the Camino. Today I was thinking about being seventy years of age. This summer was my seventieth birthday. My three daughters brought me to my favourite French restaurant, Vie de Chateau in Naas. What a surprise I had when I walked in. My two sons ,Martin who lives in Stockholm and Donal who lives in Nice came over without I knowing, My sister Cora from Cork and my brother Denis and wife Noreen from Waterford were also there to help me celebrate. What a dinner that was with Ava and Heather my two grandaughters also there. I had a conference call than from brother Patrick in Georgia USA and sis ter Mary in Kent.
My daughters Sarah and Samantha then decided to bring me to Lawlors' Hotel for a nightcap.I walked in to an enormous crowd in th e Function Room everybody clapping and cheering. I realised that this was for me. For a while Iwas so shocked that I didnt recognise anyone. But then the faces came out of the crowd and here were all my friends and neighbours here to celebrate me being Seventy. I was especially surprised and delighted so see Kevin and Trish very good friends to me since we met on a walking holiday in Tuscany. I couldnt understand haw Sarah- the surprise party organiser- contacted them, but then I didnt know, until she told me that she had raided my address book on my phone.
Danny from Donegal was there, as well as Doreens relations from Kells, Bray, Dublin,Mornington were there and I was so thrilled that they helped me have a great night. My neighbours and friends from Naas were also there.
These are my thoughts from my Camino walk on being seventy.