Gratitude on this September 11th

On this 10th anniversary of 9-11, I have to report that 2011 has been a rough year for Raspberry Ridge.  Jim has had four surgeries and the last two were emergencies.  All told, Jim has had 9 surgeries and 11 hospital stays since 2006.

The gravity of our situation has led me to question whether Raspberry Ridge Bed and Breakfast will come to be.  The financial and physical challenges are daunting. I've experienced  almost every emotion associated with grief.  Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression... but never Acceptance that Raspberry Ridge Bed and Breakfast will not come to be.

Then today happened.  The tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001.  I've watched the emotional tributes for all those lost and those that have died since from health related illnesses, the children of 9-11 born with no fathers, women that lost the love of their life, husbands raising children without their mother, firefighters changed forever by what they experienced, and mothers and fathers with no remains of sons and daughters to bury.

I also did something remarkable for me.  In spite of my terrifying fear of heights and a miserable climb up  scaffolding earlier this week, I climbed again. I climbed and stood on the scaffolding with fear but not the paralyzing fear of my first experience.  I stood up on the scaffolding and met my fear with a feeling of triumph.  I had witnessed greatness and I was inspired to overcome my circumstance.

I am in awe how everyday people have soared to hero status by their living example. My heartfelt gratitude for their courage and inspiration has brought me out of my blogging blahs.  It's so easy to focus on our struggles in bringing Raspberry Ridge to life.

It took a day like no other in American history to bring joy, perseverance, determination and courage back into focus for me.  May we never forget 9-11.