For Elizabeth much of this last year has been preparation for her "rite of passage into adulthood". It is our family tradition to make a space for this.
Elizabeth said she wanted to walk the "Camino de Santiago", all of it, almost the entire top of Spain, 6 full weeks of walking."Mom, if I can do the camino when I am 12 then my whole life I will know that I can do anything." In my time of parental perplexing, "I want her to do this, she shouldn't go with me or Andrew if this is about her becoming an adult, she shouldn't go alone." 
Cindy offered to take her. How perfect is that. I could not think of an adult I would trust more than Cindy, Elizabeth really looks up to her and if Elizabeth would use Cindy as an example of an adult she would want to be like I couldn't be happier. Cindy's willingness to take her has blessed me more than I could ever express to her in mere words.
But wait, God has decided to bless even more.Shannon has written some amazing things on her blog that really touch my desire.
She writes, "When I was thinking about this the other day I saw this picture of
Cindy and Elizabeth walking up the hill and all around them were just
our hands. Hands of people from Australia (where cindy is from and
Elizabeth was born, hands from California, Texas, Prague, Switzerland,
Germany, England and Orkney, young hands and old hands. ) Some of the
hands where on their backs like actually supporting as the were
climbing this huge hill, others were just all around, but there were
many many hands."
This brings tears to my eyes and yearning into my heart. WOW, I feel like a part of such a huge, amazing family. What can I say. I feel like on the eve of a life-transforming experience for Elizabeth, for our whole family.
Samuel walked a week of the camino pilgrimage trail 2 years ago. The family walked a small portion of it too. He walked as an adult, with the adults (Derek, Amy, Shannon, Jessica, Erika, Robbie, Grace, Teresa, Leah). At the end of the week we had a big party and Derek gave Samuel a man's shirt. You know, he really did become a man that day.
I can already see Elizabeth, the woman, trying to come out.
How great to watch our children growing into adults around these kind of amazing mentors.
Debbie, I have been reading your blog for a few weeks now and enjoyed your thoughts, but nothing moved me so than this entry on Elizabeth. I understand your doubts and fears about raising your children in the-forgive me-somewhat vagabond lifestyle you live, which I truly admire, but with souls like Elizabeth coming from it, you are doing a marvelous job and have nothing to worry about! Bravo! I am in awe of that young woman.
Posted by: Debbie | June 19, 2005 at 06:53 AM
Wow, I can't believe the Jones kids are truly starting to become the Jones women and man.
How exciting and strange. You should be so proud and Elizabeth will have an amazing time.
Much love.
Posted by: jess | June 21, 2005 at 03:27 PM
Debbie, I think that it is great that you have this tradition. I grew up in a family without traditions. But this idea of a rite of passage into Adulthood sounds amazing. We live in a culture which doesn't have a place for this transition, it is not recognised and I think this is why we have so many Boy-Men, and Girl-Women, Who haven't been led into adulthood, and so don't know how to be adults (I am talking from the point of a 27 year old who seems to be only just making this transition into womanhood myself)You are inspiring me to be a woman, I need all the help I can get!! You Rock, love Em x
Posted by: Emily | June 24, 2005 at 09:03 AM