The most important thing so far has been the meeting with the Norwegian Minister of Health, Bent Høie, at Eidsvoll, June 23rd. At this meeting, Tove Videbæk, chairperson of Hospice Forum Denmark, presented the hospice model which has proven a big success in Denmark and which stands as a great example for Norway as well as other countries. Bent Høie strongly promised improved actions for hospice in Norway.
The pilgrims will arrive in Trondheim on Monday 28 July, after walking 643 kilometers over 35 days (39 days in total, including 4 resting days).
On arrival in Trondheim there will be a public meeting on the pilgrimage experience, the hospice philosophy, and the connection between the two.
In a greeting to this pilgrimage David Praill, Chief Executive of Help the Hospices, UK, said: Pilgrimage is a near perfect metaphor for Hospice: A journey with a goal upon which we remain open to the unexpected, receive help from others along the way, reflect on our lives and find the courage to keep going.”
Here are some of our personal reflections from our pilgrimage:
The feeling of being warmly welcomed along the way and when we arrive. The mutual open minds in these spontaneous meetings touches us on a deep level and creates true bonds of connectedness and meaning.
After walking more than 350 kilometers, our feet and legs have been hurting, though taken good care of. Our suffering and our wounds have been healed in many unexpected ways:
By sharing and supporting each other, also through humour.
Enjoying the tremendous surroundings – nature, churches, old farmhouses – all the unexpected positive stimuli along the way
We are halfway through our pilgrimage, and feel lucky that we still have a long distance to walk in the Pilgrimage for Hospice 2014.
Enjoy your summer and celebrate life!
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