September 21, 2022
This is Bill’s oldest daughter Lisa hijacking his blog without his knowledge. I am currently on a plane to Madrid with my 2 sisters, Lori and Amy, and niece Elle. We are so excited to be joining him so soon! Our dad is an amazing, wonderful human that we are so lucky to call dad and grandpa. Not because he does these extraordinary adventures in his senior years, but because he does a wonderful job being the patriarch to our family. Our dad has always taken great interest in everything we do since we were kids and given us so many life memories and with our wonderful mom, and together they bonded us as a family. We hit the lottery when it comes to parents!
When my Dad mentioned this trip a few yeas ago, I was immediately interested. I could not join him on the Everest base camp trip he did with my sisters in 2008 due to family and work obligations. Now I am an empty nester, as well as Lori, and Amy is close. What a great opportunity to spend quality time with family! The Camino de Santiago walk is known to be a spiritual meaningful journey (watch “The Way” with Martin Sheen if you get a chance). I have struggled the last 3.75 years with the devastating loss of our 21 year old son Danny to a ski accident in Breckenridge Colorado. Danny was a senior in college and had just finished his semester exams and was on the last run of the day when he tragically hit a tree and died on the mountain. My whole world was shattered with a phone call on December 16, 2018. My dad, at age 76, was the one who boarded a plane the next morning to fly to Colorado to be near Danny and learn more about what had happened. The first night he attended a vigil with over 200 of Danny’s college friends, and then drove to Breckenridge and went on the mountain to be where Danny took his last breath. He talked to ski patrol and finished Danny’s run by skiing from the tree to the bottom. My husband flew out the next day and together they made arrangements to bring our boy home. I will forever be grateful to my dad for taking it upon himself to do what we were not yet ready to face. I have never been strong enough to ask many questions about details he learned, but maybe I am ready, maybe not. We will have a lot of time on the Camino together where I will be traveling with some of Danny’s ashes, and a rock from the Boulder Creek (Danny loved the creek and some of his ashes are there). I will leave the rock at the Iron Cross on the Camino.
We are all so grateful to spend this time with our 80 year old dad/grandpa and sharing his love of the outdoors. He and my mom have always been a great team and provided us with so much. I am anticipating a special life experience the next 2 weeks, with our mom cheering us on from home.
We can’t wait to see you Dad and we love you!
Love, Lisa
Lisa, I know this trip will be life-changing in many ways. I can’t wait to hear about it. Danny is with you in spirit. Safe and wonderful travels to all!
Enjoy laughing, talking and being able to do this spiritual trip together. I hope this journey is everything you need. Be safe and blister free.
How much I love this post. How much I love our friendship and you as the kind human you are. I see now why you are you. I pray this journey is above all, healing. With each step bringing buts of peace.
Lisa… bits… good grief my clumsy thumbs & poor eyesight… bits of peace 😂❤️
Such heartfelt words. Wishing you the comfort you seek on this trip.
I will be thinking of you (as always) and wishing you peace during this journey. xoxo
Lisa, my heart is aching for you at the moment, you showed a lot of courage to write this. I am praying this spiritual journey will help heal your heart a little, sending you love and prayers.
Lisa, thank you for this heartwarming email, loved reading! Couldn’t be happier you are taking this journey with your dad, sisters and niece. I hope it is more than you ever expect- keep us posted – 0x0x
I don’t personally know your family but I am so touched by your post. What a loving and powerful family and look forward to hearing all of your experiences these next 2 weeks.
What a beautiful post!
What a wonderful family you all are!
I’m so sorry for your loss.
I wish all of you the best, and that your Camino walk with your dad is deeply rewarding, both as a fun family adventure, and as a spiritual one as well.
I want to echo all that has been said here. I had the good fortune of spending several hours w your dad when he came through Vicksburg, MS when he came down the MS River in how canoe. He’s the real deal. He never meets a stranger and is so unassuming and gracious that everybody he meets loves him tight off the bat! He has that “it” factor where he makes everybody feel like they’re his best friend. Your family is truly blessed! Enjoy that precious time together!
Lisa,
I am so excited for you and your family for this adventure. May God show up for you in simple, unexpected ways…. Or in big, amazing ways on this journey. My heart hurts for you but it is also happy. I know Danny is cheering you on and would have a lot to say about this … you, jumping on a plane and traveling 20 hours to go for a walk with your Dad. He would say he is proud of you and wishes he could be there in person, but he will be there in spirit.
Joshua 1:9
♥️
Beautiful words!❤️❤️❤️❤️
Wow, you just made me cry. heartbreaking story….. what an amazing dad you have, and what an amazing family! Hope the Camino walk w. the fam is all that you want it to be.
Thank you for your revealing words about a special person. Bill has been a mentor, inspiration and friend for over 40 years. Hugs for all.
Lisa you and your family are the reflection of the family you came from. The depth of love you all have for each other is based on your faith in God. HE gifted you with the blessings you are sharing now and let you share with all who read your words. My prayers go with yours.
Lisa, You wrote such a beautiful tribute to your dad, mom, and family. What a true blessing of a father you have had throughout your life. Not everyone is so fortunate. I am sincerely praying that this experience with your dad, sisters, and niece will be a healing time for you. Stay safe and enjoy the beauty around you.
Danny will be watching you with a smile and proud of his mom to accomplish this adventure. May God give you peace in your heart and strength for the long climb you will be doing. We all will be anxiously waiting to hear about your journey!!
❤️, Lynn Richardson
My very deepest condolences Lisa 💔
Lisa! You are STRONG you are BRAVE, and it is no surprise where that comes from!
I must say, Your words are so moving from the heart to many hearts do you have so much love that surrounds you you indeed are fulfilling livelikeDan movement,, I feel him and every word you speak in every action your make!
He will be walking beside you all as you make this pilgrimage to this very spiritual place!
Know that you were loved sending many hugs and best wishes on the journey ahead
I pray this walk/experience brings you peace and comfort. We, at home,
are all cheering for you. I am blessed to call the Burke family my friends.
Vaya con Dios. ❤️🙏🏼
Lisa, we, Bruce and I, are with you and your family spiritually, every step of the way. We are in awe of your strength and grace and feel so lucky to be a part of your beautiful family 💜
Greetings, Lisa.
Here in California, I will be cheering for you, Lori, Amy, and Elle as your dad cheered for me when I traversed the Camino in 2017. He is the best friend.
Let the Camino transform you the way it has changed thousands in the past.
Hiking blessings and love to all
Buen Camino.
Rick
Lisa what a beautiful message from your heart I pray this will bring comfort to you as you have gone through so much and trying to always being the strong one when we know how much you were hurting with such sadness Being with your Dad and sisters and niece will be comfort for you Be strong God is with you❤️🙏
Wow
Wow
Wow
What a wonderful tribute to your most incredible Dad.
You will have a great memory with him on your Camino….
Much love from us
Bien Camino
Craig and Sharon
Aww Lisa- your dad is such an inspiration.
I know without a doubt that this journey will bring you what you need on so many levels, with Danny right there with you along the way. I can’t wait to hear about your and your family’s amazing experience ♥️
What a beautiful tribute. Your Dad has a heart of gold. I had the pleasure of meeting him at the Adventurers Club through a mutual friend ~ Sid Hallburn. I hope you experience wonderful moments on the Camino with your family.
~ Miki Kuwabara
I first met your dad when we were having a problem with the HOA board and was so impressed with him and his manner of handling it. When he started his adventure blog i read it eagerly and was happy i had met this adventurist personally. But, i think his greatest accomplishment was his wonderful devoted family . You are so blessed to have him and he to have you.
Lisa – I’m thinking of you and your family during this special journey. I wish you safe travels, and I pray that you will find peace and any answers you seek along the way.
Lisa
I hope you have a time to really reflect on this walk with your family. My sister lost her only child years ago and it was so painful.
Lean on your Dads wisdom he has gained over his many years. Nothing beats fresh air, exercise, and deep conversation.
Wishing you the best!
Danny is cheering you on and wrapping his arms around you on this journey. May you feel is warmth always Lisa.
You dad is a legend, just like Danny 🙂
I have a heavy, yet happy heart reading this for so many reasons. First, because as I am looking at a vase of dried flowers that I have kept with me since Danny’s memorial service in California. His essence and lively, joyful spirit that is lit from the eternal flame within him seems to be with me everywhere I go.
Just two days ago I had an inkling to go to the Boulder Creek since it was going to be the last warm day before fall. I had the whole creek to myself and walked up to the bank where I now remember Danny vividly floating down the river in his pink flamingo inner tube – smile radiating like the sun. The water was freezing, but I submerged my whole body for almost ten minutes and sat in prayer. Intuitively, I grabbed ahold of two rocks in my hand to keep me grounded. As I arose from the water and laid the rocks down at my towel. One white, one brown. Completely different, yet their shapes fit together as if they were cut from the same stone. I laid these two rocks down by the flowers I speak of on my desk. Because of this, I very much feel the energy of that rock you carry with you. A representation of the weight that you have felt in your heart, which is now lifting you up and carrying you forward on Your Way.
It is absolutely auspicious that you are walking the Camino with your dad as that is something that called to me while I was backpacking through Central and South America on pilgrimage to meet the Divine Mother. I too hope to follow in you and your fathers footsteps with my dad one day.
May your journey be blessed and bountiful, healing and heart opening, sacred and sincere. Enjoy it all, breath by breath, step by step, moment by moment. Sending so much love 💕
Wow, Lisa. So beautiful. What a memorable trip this will be for all of you. So glad you guys can do this with him!
I admire the enduring connection of the entire Burke family.
I love that you are on this beautiful and memorable trip together. What a blessing.
I hope you feel Danny’s footsteps along side you. I know he is watching over all of you.
If you see and shenanigans… you know who to blame.
Love you all of you,
Mary Ann
Bless You Lisa ❤️