We all have seasons along life's journey when we hit speed bumps; we put on a brave face and forge on. There are seasons when bravery needs time to grow, sometimes it isn't enough for the battle at hand, and sometimes it is there under the surface, waiting to emerge at just the right moment. This book of poetry explores and exposes such a season that requires bravery through travel, loss, grief, illness, anxiety, and ultimately triumphs in gratitude and new beginnings. Brave as Thistles was inspired by a trip to the Highlands of Scotland where the author encountered the national emblem, the thistle. Scottish legend tells of a party of Scots warriors who were invaded by Norsemen. The Vikings removed their shoes and crept up to attack the sleeping Clansmen. One of the invaders trod on a spiky thistle and his anguished cry alerted the Scots to the attack. If your life journey has brought you to a place where bravery is required, may you be like the thistle, delicate and beautiful, yet tenacious and strong, able to flourish through any season.