it's been 10 years...

This coming Sunday marks the 10th anniversary of 9/11...
A day that forever changed the lives of so many of us...
in so many VERY different ways.

I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard the news...
(as I'm keenly aware so many of you do too).
I remember the feelings of disbelief...
The heartache...
The sick feeling in my stomach...
The intense anxiety within myself...
Being glued to the television for hours...
and ultimately sensing the fear felt around the world.

I also remember the "coming together"...
The resurgence of American pride...
The houses, cars, and businesses proudly adorning American Flags...
The sense that despite the tragedy...
we would prevail...
we would be stronger...
we would heal as a people...
and as a nation.

I felt I needed to do SOMETHiNG to commemorate the 10th Anniversary...
I was torn about how to do something respectfully...
tactfully...

I certainly didn't want to feel as though I was encouraging people to host a party...
But I do feel it important to encourage each of us...
to take time to reflect and recount the events of that day - with each other.
The loss of lives...
The acts of heroism...
Our feelings then...
and our feelings now.
Engage in conversation with your family...
especially with your children.

I want to honor those who lost their lives...
Remember the many who sacrificed so much...
Reflect on those who performed acts of heroism...
Pray silently for children who lost parents...
and for parents who lost children.

A horrific day in the history of the United States of America.
And here we are...
10 years later...
Still healing...
For that...
there is cause for celebration....

I hope these free printables will inspire you to take a few minutes to remember and reflect...

(download .pdf here)

as well as to be grateful for the blessings we enjoy living in this country...

If you own The Pastry Pedestal™, use these to create a bouquet of patriotic petite pastries as a memorial
and then serve them up after dinner Sunday evening!

Otherwise, you can use these to create a quick banner to display somewhere in your home that will

serve as a reminder and perhaps spark some conversation between you and your loved ones.

Sending out a heartfelt thank you to those men and women who have served...

are serving...

and those that are preparing to serve our country...

I am indebted to your sacrifices...

as well as to the sacrifices that are silently made behind the scenes by your loved ones, family members and friends.

Thank you...