What if? What if we sat with a character or characteristic named Fortitude, would we get to know him/her better? Would we, could we learn something new that would help us on our journey? And what better place than the Veranda out of the harsh glare of the noonday sun and the thundershower of the afternoon. A place where secrets are told and dreams hatched. Or sometimes nothing happens at all.

Well Fortitude, I chose you to be first of the eight because I think that I know a bit about you already. While I say that seriously it could be a joke too, in the sense that if life were a little easier than I wouldn’t have to know you so well! Yes, it is a bitter sweet thing that life proves to be such a rocky road. I put forth at this time that you provide the wherewithal to day after day travel this road.

I know things are usually more complicated or richer maybe than our standard definitions account for. What do you think we could add to our common meaning to make it more clear or flesh it out? Can we come up with something to help us understand it better? Yes, we are picking your brain.

Yes, it is not all stonework as in a fortress. Yes, it needs a certain amount of armor but it also needs to be somewhat nimble to maneuver, to be able to sidestep. It’s a balance, yes, I see.

It can’t be created overnight. I takes time to build and the ancestors are big helpers. They have done it all, the good, the bad and the ugly and still had the time and style to produce us. Yes, here we are, good point.

Yes, very good. How about one more? Right, it is not so much of a wall as it is a purity that permeates the whole starting at the center. It is resilient at all levels, not just at it perimeter.

Well, this has been great. We owe you a lot for your time and openness. Maybe we will see you again. Yes, come back anytime.

Well Caminoheads, that went awesome. Hope we learned something or reviewed some things that we already knew. Have to go, love with fortitude, Felipé.