(this post was originally written before my first Camino experience, May 2019)
Courage is the most important of all virtues because without it, we can’t practice any other virtue with consistency. -Maya Angelou
I drove to the outskirts of Chicago the day before my flight departed for Spain, and I spent the evening with my childhood friend, Lori, at her home. This gave me the opportunity to connect with her and a place to park my car, as I would take the train to the airport the following morning. As I lay in bed that night, I needed a little extra courage for this solo journey I was about to take. I began to think of all the strong single women I knew. How they stood tall and overcame adversity, how they figured out things along the way, how they gave of themselves, and how the thought of them was helping me feel braver.
My grandmothers after they lost their husbands. Mary K, a 101 year old friend who never married. My single friends, ReShonda and Latricia, both who are forces for good in our community. Women, young and old, some who never married, some widowed, some divorced, but all brave. I thought also of all of my strong and courageous girlfriends who are married and who form a mighty and fierce fellowship ring in my life. I fell asleep, bolstered in courage by thoughts of this brave cloud of female witnesses whom I have the privilege of traveling with through life.
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