My husband frequently tells me that I have great “fortitude”, and that it is a rare quality. I ponder this sometimes wondering what he means by it. By definition, fortitude means a strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain or adversity with courage. I can tell you that I do not consider myself brave when facing danger. When it comes to the biological response of fight vs. flight, I am most definitely a flight. He has directed me to “run like hell” if I ever encounter a dangerous situation (it’s a good thing I’m a fast runner). If it is not bravery that I possess, then he must be speaking of my “strength of mind”. Isn’t that just stubbornness? I hardly consider that a praiseworthy trait, but I have definitely been accused of having a “hard head” a time or two. I do not give up easily, so if he is referring to the quality of perseverance, I could agree with that (but wouldn’t that be the same as stubborn?).
When I was a child, I remember coming across a written excerpt that alluded to the possibility of seeing ourselves as others see us (I now realize that it was in a poem by Robert Burns). But what I remember at the time was being fascinated by the thought, and curious about how and what others perceived of me. So, when my husband says that I have great fortitude, I wonder what exactly he (and others) see. Maybe someday he can elaborate.
I had to work on Thanksgiving this past week, but was able to make a quick trip home for the weekend. My daughter saved me a “little of everything” from the feast, including the deviled eggs and lemon bars that she made. There was almost a whole pan of the lemon bars. I am embarrassed to admit they no longer exist (I ate every last crumb before I left). She is not allowed to make them again unless she hides them from me.
I am happy to report that Wookie and I are together again, and he is ready to go to work tomorrow. We have experienced a few cold days here, so he has been able to wear a few of his sweaters to work. I realized this weekend that he does not have a holiday/Christmas sweater, so I began to knit him one (it should be finished today). I considered knitting Mary a few sweaters, but I am not sure if she would like them or not. She is growing quickly, so I may wait until she is grown.
We spent the weekend preparing the horse trailer & living quarters for my husbands next adventure. He has over two weeks of traveling and team roping planned. He will start in Arizona and end in Vegas. I will not be able to accompany him on this one, but I am hoping to make the next one. Maybe next year we can align my assignments to coincide a little better.
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