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Last week, I walked the stunning coast of Galicia towards Santiago de Compostela with a beautiful group of humans in our Parents & Kids program.

I have done this walk a few times with each of my kids since they were 11 years old, but this year they were both too grown up and too busy to join me.

So I invited my 11-year-old nephew who, luckily for me, was happy to join this adventure.

To be fully honest, I was a bit disheartened that my kids didn’t join me since we have so many wonderful shared memories from this program, but I was too busy to dwell on it, and just pushed through.

This was an interesting group: 4 dads, 3 boys – one 16-year-old, one 14-year-old, and my 11-year-old nephew – and one single and brave 10-year-old girl.

The group connected easily, and even though my nephew didn’t speak English and the girl didn’t speak Portuguese, they immediately connected and managed to communicate somehow.

We had a wonderful walk with many shared highlights, meaningful conversations and amazing experiences.

My nephew was great, always happy and making the best out of this experience even when it was challenging.

My nephew and the young girl got closer and closer, and the whole group was touched watching this innocent, loving friendship grow and settle in each of them.

As we got closer to Santiago, and the end of our program, it was obvious there was going to be a little heartbreak on the horizon.

Love is frail and fleeting, and many times this stops us from fully living. And so I  almost envied my nephew for his innocence.

I tried to give him a positive perspective, saying that he shouldn’t be sad that it ended, but happy because he lived it.

And that simple and truthful sentence bounced right back at me – for I should not feel sad because my kids didn’t join me this time, I should be grateful and happy that I have lived the previous programs with them.

And I am also very grateful that I lived this amazing week with my nephew.

Love is frail and fleeting. But is there anything more worth living?

On a side note – as I almost arrived to Santiago, I saw this sign, that plays with the name of the village – Ames – which is also a form of the verb to love. A rough translation might be “love whomever you love, do it with pride”.

And if we just go down to our most humble and honest self – can anyone really be judged for loving? Is there anything more worth being proud of than loving?

In the meantime, keep walking with us, changing the world one person at a time and one step at a time.

Until our next newsletter,

Keep walking with us!

Nuno Santos Fernandes

Partner, Walking Mentorship

Are you ready to embark on our journeys?

If you think it is about time to take yourself for a walk, we invite you to join one of our carefully designed upcoming programs 👇

🔹 Camino de Berobreo – Coastal Route | Spain: 4 Places available

[6-13 September] Start here

🔹 Slow Down – Sardinia | Italy: 8 Places available

[5-7 October] Start here

🔹 Year-End (WM Alumni only) – Algarve | Portugal: 8 Places available

[11-14 December] Start here

How can we walk together?

Walking Mentorship is a labor of love that helps you gain deeper insight and equips you to create a meaningful impact on your life and those around you.

How can we work together? We keep things simple by offering, Individual, Group and Corporate programs. You can also offer vouchers as a gift to the people you love. Find the best fit for you and book a call with one of our mentors.

In the meantime, keep walking with us 🚶‍♂️ changing the world one person at a time, one step at a time.