Holy Hill

Today was magic. First, I ran into Sue and Thomas from the Chippewa Moraine Chapter at drop-off, initially having met them on the trail yesterday. I excitedly introduced them to Eric, a proud moment for me since he’s truly the reason I’m about to become a thousand-miler. We chatted more and I reiterated my goal to finish next Sunday, 11/23 despite the fact that I was starting the trail late (again) in the day. 25+ miles each day is totally doable I keep insisting…

A few hours later, after successfully maintaining a pace that would get me to 24 miles by end of day, I passed a marker calling attention to the far off hill and the basilica atop. I knew I would be passing a church but hadn’t realized it was a cathedral of some importance. My brother-in-law Manuel is a devout catholic so I sent him a photo of what I thought was neat for Wisconsin. Turns out that very morning he had ordered books from that very basilica about St. Therese of Lisieux whose relics were arriving that very afternoon. The timing could not have been more perfect. He didn’t know where I was, and I definitely was not aware of the church or the arrival of the relics. All of the what if’s and disappointment in myself over the last few weeks for seemingly being behind schedule…had none of the delays happened, I wouldn’t have been passing through the Holy Hills Segment when something very significant for my brother-in-law was taking place. Suddenly the day’s mileage didn’t seem so important and I left the trail for an hour to visit the basilica. Veneration was after mass so I missed the relics, but I did get to explore the cathedral and bring home a few gifts for Manuel.

I’m still aiming for Sunday, 11/23, but after today I trust that I will finish when the time is right. 🌹