Grey-Bruce Boomers Winter2023

y May Tettero
the cross, read messages and looked at photos and
laid down three ribbons tied to a rock to symbolize
my mother, father and all other deceased who had
meant so much to me. Then I walked away and got
back on my bike for a glorious, flowing descent.
After 16 days of riding hard, falling twice, getting lost
many times, getting soaked with rain and sweat amid
outbursts of tears, I felt completely healthy in body,
heart and mind. My body felt strong and I had no
physical symptoms left. Gone was the sore knee, back
pain, the headaches and insomnia. I did not need any
medication and was taking no vitamins or supplements.
I felt a deep, whole-body gratitude and ease. I
found peace with the losses in my life and with the
regrets I had been holding on to. I was pleasantly
surprised that, no matter the circumstance, I was
consistently kind to myself without trying. I just was.
I felt vulnerable to the world and held by the world
at the same time. I discovered I’m good with myself,
with my past, and able to welcome what’s next with
a newly open heart.
On June 27, 2023, the 45th anniversary of my
immigration to Canada, I arrived in Santiago de
Compostella – happy, proud, feeling healthy and
strong. Doing hard and scary things is so rewarding.
I now know I can trust myself, that I can do hard
things and that I’m good with myself. I attended
mass at the cathedral that evening, around my neck
a tiny vial of my parents’ ashes and deep peace in
my heart.
May Tettero, MSW, RSW, is a psychotherapist in private
practice in Owen Sound. When she is not hiking the Bruce
Trail, she’s probably riding her bike in beautiful Grey County.
After riding 600 km in The Netherlands, the country of her
birth, May rode the Camino Frances from Le Puy en Velay,
in France, to Finisterre on the Atlantic Ocean, in Spain. The
Camino route totaled 1,750 km with over 27,000 vertical
metres of climbing. She did this trip on her beloved Salsa
Cutthroat bikepacking bike.
WINTER 2023/24 • 9