As you can see by the photo, being a Pilgrim Parent isn't as easy as it seems. The beaming faces at the airport disappeared quickly once reality set in. After months of supporting the kids with their efforts to get to Madrid and then having them leave the country, many POP's (Parents of Pilgrims) feel a definite void in their lives. Not only did the POP's miss their babies, they were not coping with the emptiness that comes with having no more trivia nights to plan, no more chocolates or raffle tickets to sell, no cake stalls to bake for and no sausages to sizzle! Without immediate action the POP's sadness at having their beloved children so far away from them might consume them and have dire consequences to their day to day existence!!!!!
What to do to ensure this sadness doesn't get out of hand?
Share a meal of Spanish Tapas so that the POP's get a little taste of Spain after all their hard work!
Last night, the POP's met at Cronulla for a tapas banquet where they also had the opportunity to share communications they'd had with their pilgrims over the past week. Shared stories, laughter and great food were a fitting way to finish the journey that the parents had shared in supporting their children's pilgrimage dreams. A few pilgrim's even contacted their parents during the meal, giving further assurance that the kids were all well and in fact having the trip of a lifetime!
WYD will see many new friendships formed this year- not only for our Pilgrims but for the extended families who have come together to help them realise their dreams.
P.S We were always smiling on the inside! Sending much love to you all in Rome xxx
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