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Hélène Lefebvre was 60 years old when she hiked the 2,000-kilometre route to Santiago de Compostela. For four months, she reflected on her life amidst the magnificent natural surroundings, reaping many benefits from the mythical journey.
For many, Compostela represents an occasion to take stock, providing them with answers to questions they’ve long been asking themselves.
“I just let myself go with the flow, I had no expectations,” she says. “You have to do it to understand. It’s an occasion to step back from your life in order to carry on with renewed purpose. I loved it so much that next year, for my 65th birthday, I plan to go back. This time, though, I’m going to pick my favourite sections and hike about 500 kilometers.”
According to Hélène Lefebvre, it’s the route that makes the Camino de Compostela special. Of course, there’s the religious aspect, since the tomb of Saint James is the destination point. But it’s also very spiritual.
Ms. Lefebvre had a career as a language teacher, mainly teaching Spanish. Since her expedition to Santiago de Compostela, she has started working in palliative care accompaniment, which she finds extremely fulfilling. She draws a parallel between her Camino experience and end-of-life care.
“In both cases, you realize that material things aren’t that important,” explains the 60-year-old. “Then, in palliative care, as at the end of a journey, you have to let go. You go through a kind of mourning when such an important pilgrimage comes to an end.”
Hélène Lefebvre also recounts how, shortly after her return, her father ended up in palliative care. She describes that period as a time of both depression and self-questioning, but also one of enormous growth.
“I’m very happy to be my age, it feels good to me,” says the Drummondville native. “I’m an idealist, I don’t impose limits on myself. I rarely accept rejection from others. I’ll always give it a try.” She believes that retirement is when you can let yourself do a lot of things.
If she had one piece of advice for someone in her age group, it would be to surround yourself with people you love. And not hesitate to ask for help if you feel lonely.
“I have great faith in people, despite everything you hear on the news. I don’t think there are any bad people. We just develop in different ways.”
A FADOQ member for some three years, Hélène Lefebvre regularly consults the AVA platform (zoneava.ca). This project was made possible thanks to the contribution of several partners, including Réseau FADOQ and the Centre collégial d’expertise en gérontologie du Cégep de Drummondville.
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