com + fort

I like exploring words from the inside.

The word comfort has two parts: com- (together, beside) + fort (strong). A FORTress is a strong place. FORTitude is strength and courage in adversity. To comfort (verb), then, is to come together so as to create strength, especially when facing challenges.

A person who comforts is a comforter. From about 1832, the term comforter also has been used to refer to a quilted coverlet.

At its core, the work Judi and I do through Project Linus and other similar initiatives seeks to provide strength and courage to children in difficult circumstances. We probably would prefer to comfort through hugs, to bring warmth that up-close-and-personal provides so well. But even when a child is wrapped in a Project Linus quilt, we provide a physical presence that gives courage to a child.

That’s why we do what we do.