God Bless America

We are remembering this weekend. One of the things that gave me strength on that terrible September 11, 2001, besides knowing that the world grieved with us (which meant so much!) was the spontaneous and overwhelming display of our national emblem.

It was everywhere, suddenly and immediately; flags flew from every car, truck, and eighteen-wheeler on the highway; from front porches, draped out windows, on rooftops and from doorways, lining Main Streets all over the country.  Signs of God Bless America were everywhere, telling the world, we are one.

 Our country is made up of people from all over the world. We are Ireland, Japan, Africa, England, Sweden, Russia, India, Italy, Mexico, Iraq, and Canada.  We are connected, by family, to them all.  Our resolve is their resolve, and their resolve is ours.  Our hope is their hope and their hope is ours.

And our faith is unshaken in what America stands for, because it’s what we all stand for in our hearts . . . the beautiful dream of  peace and good health, fine education for our children, good jobs, fairness and truth, and justice for all. The freedom to reach for the stars.  Can that be so difficult? 

Our flags flying everywhere on those terrible days in September said that despite what had just happened, there is hope for the world. . . as Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

We’ll never give up.  Fear will not be our guiding light . . .

Or determine our future . . .

We live in a world and a country of everyday heroes.  Moms and Dads everywhere, trying to make a better place for their children; teachers, nurses, firefighters, farmers; us normal tea drinkers and quilt makers, island lovers and laundry folders, dinner cookers and flower planters, doggie lovers, kitty petters, and never-giver-uppers . . . scientists, astronauts, artists, poets and philosophers, who do their part every day to make the world a better place to live.   Many everyday heroes were lost that terrible day.  We honor their memory by keeping their dreams alive.

Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark.  Rabindranath Tagore.

‘Cause that’s who we are . . . Call me a dreamer.  But that’s what I was put here to do.

To help keep the dream alive . . .

So today, and every day, I’m remembering that we are one, and cherishing the spirit and heart that makes America great . . . ♥

♫ From the mountains . . .

to the prairies . . . ♪

♫ to the oceans . . .

white with foam . . . ♪

♫ God Bless America, our home sweet home. ♪ 

Don’t be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality.  If you can dream it, you can make it so.  Belva Davis

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92 Responses to God Bless America

  1. karen saunders says:

    Well said Susan…. well said.

  2. Pat Beckman says:

    How touching that was…..My dearest grandson leaves for Afganistan sometime soon. He celebrated his 22nd birthday last night and goes back to his base tomorrow. we raised this young man and I am over whelmed right now….they have a going away cermony in the morning…need paper towels instead of tissues. You always amaze me with blogs …so many things that are close to my heart..thank you

    • sbranch says:

      Paper towels instead of tissues . . . awww. xoxo Bless his heart. And yours.

      • Carmel says:

        I promise to especially pray for him and you this weekend.

        • Paula B. says:

          We all will. Godspeed to all our military. And sending up special prayers for all those personally touched by the tragedy of 9/11. Flying the flag (especially) proudly on Sunday.

      • Marilyn says:

        Pat,

        Give him a hug from me for bravely heading overseas to protect our freedom. You obviously raised a very fine young man!

        Marilyn (in Dallas)

    • Jeannie M from NC says:

      Our prayers go out to your Grandson and all the brave men and women who are serving our country unselfishly, God bless them and you for raising your Grandson. May they be remembered proudly tomorrow on the 10th anniversary of such a horrific attack on this land of the free, the USA.

    • Sandra says:

      Dear Pat – please thank your grandson for serving. One nephew has returned from his second tour of Afghanistan and another from his first tour of Kyrgyzstan.

  3. Gert says:

    Amen…you have said it all.

    Blessings & love,
    Gert

  4. Rachel Lucas says:

    As always, the perfect words for the occasion. And you are right, the (right thinking) world stands with you, and remembers, and carries on the way the world always will. Leaving a legacy of hope and goodness for those who lost their lives that terrible, terrible day, just by moving forward. America the Beautiful…a beacon for everyone who dreams of freedom. Love you xoxo

  5. Rachel Lucas says:

    By the way, today for the coffeeshop I made a Blueberry Crumb Cake – and on the label I wrote (for NYC with love) under the ingredients list. Little things…but there will be a lot of love & remembrance all over the world tomorrow x

    • sbranch says:

      Adorable Rachel, thank you…it’s the little things. ♥

    • Doreen Strain says:

      Rachel, you are so right. It is the little things! Kudos to you even thinking of putting that on your labels. Those lives lost on that very sad day will be remembered and prayed for tomorrow by people all over the world. Susan said it so eloquently when she said “We honor their memory by keeping their dreams alive.” I must be a dreamer as well, I agree with every word Susan wrote and couldn’t have said it better myself! God Bless America! FOSB 4~Ever! ~ Doreen ~

  6. Jody Gray says:

    Perfect…..made me cry.

  7. Nellie says:

    What an amazing blog this morning, Susan! What true words you have spoken! We fly our American flag on our house everyday. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to do so. My heart goes out to all those who lost loved ones on that horrible 9/11 occasion. God bless you all! xoxo

  8. Angie(Tink!) says:

    ♫ Good Morning Sweetest ♥ Sue…Thank-You for Your Words of Wisdom…Herbster & I watched many things on T.V. last Night about September 11th…We Wept as We Watched & Remembered….Sending Prayers to All Our Troops for Keeping Us safe….to All Our Fire-Fighters & Police Force…to All The Families who Have Lost Loved Ones on 911… 10 Years ago…Our Beautiful America was Attacked…& as We Recovered…We Continue to Stand Tall & Proud…♫God Bless America♫…Land That “We” L♥ve….Stand Beside Her & Guide Her♫…Amen!….sending Hugzzz & Love as We Remember September 11th…xoxo (Red White & Blue Pixie-Dust) & a Little poof!♥

  9. mari1017 says:

    Thank you, Susan. We will never forget; we will always remember.
    ♥ God bless America, my home sweet home ♥

  10. Giovanna says:

    Thank you Susan. I’m putting my flag out now!

  11. Sheryle Towle says:

    Very well said, Susan! Our flag flies proudly from our front porch. Our daughter worked at the Trade Center; thankfully, she was sent to a 3 day conference on September 10th. God Bless all those who were not as fortunate. Thank you so much for posting this.

  12. Juliana says:

    Thank you for (as always) giving us your uplifting thoughts for this weekend. As we are bombarded with all the horrific images and replaying of tapes, it is truly heartwarming to think about what really matters and keeps us going. I think back to when Congress all got up and sang “God Bless America”. Tomorrow is the day to do something positive, a good deed. We will always remember, and we grow stronger knowing where we have come from and how much more we can achieve.

  13. Patricia says:

    Lovely message. I went to Ireland shortly after 9/11…in fact I was on the first plane to Ireland that left Logan after they reopened the skies (bit of trivia: the president of Ireland was on the plane.) Anyway one of the things that meant so much on that trip were all the people who spoke to us telling us how much they loved us, how they were with us, and how touched they were as well by the events of 9/11. We went to the harbor in Cobh and there was a lovely tribute on the Annie Moore immigration statue- someone had left flowers and a hand written note that said “we love our American brothers and sisters”. I’ll never forget that.

  14. Carilyn Wolski says:

    God Bless America! After reading your blog I went down to the basement, grabbed two little American Flags, and placed them into two old crystal salt and pepper shakers to use as little vases. Seeing them on the window ledges in my kitchen remind me to be proud of our country and the freedom we all share in the U.S.A. My thoughts and prayers are for those who lost loved ones 10 years ago tomorrow.

  15. peg says:

    Susan ~ that day will remain with us always. Your blog said it all. We came together as a nation…united, supporting each other and embracing our faith that we would grow stronger thru this tragedy. I kept a journal of sorts about the events and aftermath of 9-11…it is hard to believe it has been ten years. May we remain united…”One nation, under God, indivisable, with liberty and justice for all.” ♥ Peg

  16. Tiina says:

    SB you said it all with your beautiful pictures. I have students in my class who weren’t born when this horror happened. How do you explain to a 6 year old how America stood still on this fateful day? As my mom would say for my generation, this is our Pearl Harbor or Kennedy assassination. Something we will never forget nor should we. Thank you for letting us know how we will continue to endure and survive.

  17. Priscilla says:

    Very nice tribute, Susan. Your words are so right on.

  18. Carol Hesch says:

    You put my favorite quote on the blog today—“Faith is the bird….” Awww….
    I watched a 9/11 special and was in tears again….so emotional. I can’t help but remember little 4 year old, Juliana McCourt, who was on her way to Disneyland and in one of the planes that hit the WTC. 🙁 She just wanted to see Mickey Mouse. My heart is just so sad for her:( and of course all of the victims that day and since. I try to just keep that faith and hope we have all tried to honor those lost. I wish/hope we could keep that American spirit and pride felt after 9/11–everyday.

  19. Rosemary says:

    I wish everyone would/could read your words today and let them really sink in. So well put, and this is your gift…saying the most heartfelt, simple, yet profound things for the masses! Lots of emotions this weekend…and we are still dealing with heartbreak and loss with the floods, the fires. May the American spirit rise to help everyone make it through.

  20. Eugenia says:

    Amen. God bless America.

  21. Beth says:

    My favorite! The American Flag! I just loved what you wrote today. My entire kitchen is the American Flag theme and I love it. It reminds me every day that I love being American, and how fortunate I am to be living in America. God Bless America!!

  22. Sunnybec says:

    We grieved with you in 2001 and we will be grieving with you this weekend. Linda

  23. Betsy says:

    I was behind a car last week that had 4 bumper stickers on it. At the stop light I started to read them……the American Flag on them caught my eye. One said ” Proud Parents of a daughter who is a U.S. Marine”. The other three were for son’s in the Army, Navy and Marines. All on one car! I beeped my horn and the woman driving looked in her rear view mirror. I yelled “Thank you and your family for keeping us all safe”. She waved and smiled.

    • K. Ross says:

      Shopping at one of the major discount stores shortly after 9/11, the P.A. system played Lee Greenwood’s “Proud to Be an American.” Everyone in the store was crying. Sure love our military personnel (and local police & firefighters) who so selflessly give their best to protect us.

  24. Peg says:

    Truly, you have said it all and in a beautiful way. Thank you! And God Bless the USA

  25. Jessica says:

    So beautifully said Susan…and our hearts patriotism of ten years ago, so perfectly shown. Thank you for showcasing the strong bond of togetherness we all shared then…may it continue to be so. My thoughts and prayers are with our nation, NYC…and all those who lost loved ones ten years ago…may this weekend (and somehow this post) bring them strength and encouragement.
    God Bless…
    xo J~

  26. Ginny Stanley says:

    Dear Susan,
    This is such a wonderful post! You seem to always know what to say and when to say it. We always have a flag flying as my hubby is a Navy veteran. It’s a shame that tragedy sometimes has to happen before we realize how blessed we are. I believe that as tragic as 9/11 was, it made us a stronger country. May God continue to comfort and bless the families directly effected by the attacks and may our country never forget! God Bless America, Land that I Love!!!!!!

  27. Sandra Gillanders says:

    Difficult day but must honor all those who lost their lives and those that still suffer. You said it beautifully Sue! We will be flying our flag tomorrow in honor and rememberance.

  28. Heartsdesire says:

    OMG Susan. Your posting today brought tears to my eyes. Even though I live in Canada, the images of those towers on fire will never be forgotten. For anyone who loves freedom, no matter where they live, your message has touched us all.

  29. Sarah Maldonado says:

    I’m watching the Memorial Dedication at Shanksville. I’m so proud and grateful to the citizens aboard Flight 93. The legacy they left for their families and America will live on forever. Former Presidents Bush and Clinton and Vice President Biden gave wonderfully moving remarks. God Bless America

  30. deezie says:

    Hi Susan
    What a lovely post!!!
    deezie

  31. Linda W says:

    So beautifully written. Thank you.

  32. Victoria Miller says:

    Thank you, Susan, for this very uplifting and inspiring tribute and focus on the positive during a commemoration of one of the darkest days, if not the darkest day, in our nation’s history. We are a nation of immigrants, other than the native Americans. When we are attacked, it is in a sense the entire world being attacked. But we are the place to which the disenchanted and disinfranchised peoples of the world brought their dreams to bring them to life. And it is all those little, lovely acts which make the great and the beautiful. Thank you for all your wonderful inspiration.

  33. Lee Ann G. says:

    Your words ring so true! God Bless our wonderful America!

  34. Joan says:

    You have such a wonderful way with words! Yes, God DOES Bless America.

  35. Hollace says:

    These are wonderful photos of the flag. I, too, love to see it flying, and love what it represents–land of the brave, home of the free. May it ever be so.

  36. Ann says:

    Beautifully said!
    We fly the American flag on our front porch just about every day… a reminder in good times and bad that we are blessed to be part of this amazing country-

    • K. Ross says:

      When our son-in-law was in Iraq six years ago, we started flying our beautiful stars and stripes . . . and it’s been flying on our front porch ever since. This week, we heard of an American family living in an overseas country that was summoned by the local authorities because they had hosted a luncheon in their backyard for a group of elderly retirees. They were warned about “such actions.” We have such freedoms here — we need to thank God every day for keeping His hand on us.

  37. Susan F. says:

    A lovely post with beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing your sentiments.

  38. Reneelynn says:

    Today’s post was right on. We must never forget. Also tomorrow we must remember all those who have lost their lives fighting to keep this country safe in the last ten years. Do something nice for a family whose son, daughter, husband, wife is serving now, to keep us from harm. LAND OF THE FREE BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE! God bless America.

  39. I remember the morning it all happened. When I got up, my husband, who is never late for work, was sitting in the living room with the television on. I said, “What happened?” I sat down beside him and we watched, horrified, as the planes hit the twin towers.

    Susan, you have captured the sentiment of many of us in the free world – let’s work to keep our world free of terror.

  40. Judy C in NC says:

    Yeah and Hoorah for American – My heart swells with pride whenever I hear a song or see a flag – and I do think that you are as patriotic as I am – may we all carry the message and sing it from the rafters. God Bless America – Judy C in NC

  41. Mar Bailey says:

    Huge lump in throat…. thank you so much for your beautiful words, Susan. I have flown my flag everyday since September 11th. It is my personal reminder of my faith in this country and of those heroes lost to us that day and to those that still put their lives on the line for our freedom.

  42. Cheryl Egan says:

    Thanks you so very much for those well put and very poignant words……words to live by
    xo

  43. Anita says:

    Thank you for such a wonderful post today, and giving us all a place to come together in rememberance and love for our country and one another. Hugs, Anita.

  44. Martha Ellen says:

    Thank you Susan for your heartfelt thoughts about 9-11-01. My heart still breaks remembering that day and all the lives that were lost! My husband and I put the American flag on the front porch this afternoon in rememberance. We are all one people “From a distance.” God Bless America!!!

  45. Carolyn Weaver says:

    AMEN ! AND GOD BLESS AMERICA !!!!!!!!!!!

  46. Nancy Brown says:

    Thank you Susan,
    “Lest we forget.” True again.

  47. Marilyn says:

    Susan,
    Your post brought tears to my eyes, as did the replies. Thank you for writing so eloquently about freedom and dreams. The photos you chose to post today were gorgeous, as well.

    God Bless America!

    Marilyn (in Dallas)

  48. Patty Mayer says:

    You seem to always get it so right Susan! Loved reading and seeing your pictures!
    God Bless America land that we L♥ve!!

  49. Vickie says:

    Thank you for this. What a wonderful tribute, reminder and downright good idea! Our flag is flying here and I am glad it is flying in my reader, as well! Hugs!

  50. Lynn says:

    Beautiful tribute Susan. Will be heading to MV tomorrow for our week. Same place we were 10 years ago. I will never forget walking up East Chop Dr. from Our Market and hearing this terrible roar. A fighter jet flew over my head so low that the ground shook. Had no idea until my daughter called from the George Washington Bridge on her way to work. Tomorrow I will be sporting my “United We Stand” “Land of the Free and Home of the Brave” Black Dog shirt – you can’t miss me. Once again our nation will pull together and offer support to those who lost loved ones that day. God Bless our troops, police, fire and others who work so hard to protect us.

  51. Cathy in Golden, CO says:

    AMEN SUSAN! I’m on my way out to put out the flags! We’re one big family that comes together when terrible and tragic things happen. We don’t always agree but by golly we stick together when push comes to shove!!!! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

  52. Jeannie M from NC says:

    Thank you Susan for this wonderful post on the eve of such a travisty on us all as Americans. Freedom is not free, it comes at a terrible cost to all! We all suffered 10 years ago, as we suffer when each soldier falls or is injured to bring peace and justice to America, and each country that lost someone that day 10 years ago.

  53. Barbara (WA) says:

    Thank you, Susan, and I stand with you all.

  54. Linda Pintarell says:

    My flag is flying…thank you for the beautiful pictures and articulate, heartwarming words. You got it right!

    Linda

  55. Pat Mofjeld says:

    What a lovely tribute–well said. And if we could just, as a nation, stay together and act as one and try hard to put divisive differences apart, just imagine what we could accomplish!

  56. Joan Lesmeister says:

    Beautiful blog, and I enjoyed reading all the wonderful comments. Thank you all. God Bless America!

  57. Theresa says:

    ….and so it is…Hallelujah!

  58. Betty says:

    Beautiful tribute.
    The horror and the sadness on that terrible day touched people all around the world. We are remembering with you.

  59. Sandra says:

    Thank God for His continued blessings upon our great nation. “…one nation, under God…”

  60. Barb K. says:

    Perfect. Thank you for this beautiful post.

  61. Kim says:

    So well said and touching, Susan. The paragraph about everyday heroes makes me tear up every time (I’ve read it 3 times now :). My flag is flying proudly today as I join the rest of America in remembering the events of that tragic day.

  62. Judy Beatty says:

    Our flag is proudly being displayed…and my heart is heavy. A very special prayer was said this morning for those who died, their families and those who are suffering today because of being exposed to the gases, etc. while trying to rescue others. Our country is made up of Heroes….everyday Heroes who love our Country. My Mom passed away the day after 9/11 so this time every year is of double sorrow.

    Beautiful post, Susan.

    • sbranch says:

      My mom and uncles were spreading my Grandma’s ashes in the ocean the day the towers came down. I was so happy she didn’t see it.

  63. Francine says:

    Amen! What a lovely tribute!

  64. Joan Lesmeister says:

    Where I’m sitting, I can see our flag flying, and waving in the much needed breeze….long may it wave!

  65. Thank you Sue, for your thoughtful and uplifting sharing today, as all Americans are remembering and honoring the events of 9/11 and those who were lost, as well as those individuals and their families who have gone on so bravely on to defend us here at home through the past decade. There is so much to be proud of.

    Now, let’s hope we can come together as a country, tapping into what is good and best in each of us, not let politicians and lobbyists polarize us, and join together in a spirit of compromise to get on a corrective course socially, economically, environmentally and care for the weakest who can’t care for themselves (including the polar bears!) We can do it, of course we can, but it’s going to have to start at grass roots, because DC is quagmired and entrenched and too concerned about being re-elected and not concerned enough about getting to solid solutions!

    Love You and will miss you and Joe. in the ‘hood. Safe travels.
    XOXO
    Lowely

  66. Gumbo Lily says:

    Sing it Susan and I’ll sing along too.
    Keep dreaming. Keep believing.

    ~Jody

  67. Nina says:

    Susan that was a beautiful & very fitting tribute! We will never forget where we were and what we were doing on that fateful day. I think they hurt America and the rest of the world was hurting with you too. God bless america from your friends and allies accross the ocean. We will never forget! xxxx

  68. Judy Claypool says:

    Thank you for the moving patriotic pictures and sentiments, we our truly blessed to call ourselves Americans,, Judy

  69. Cindy Maulin says:

    thank you Susan for a wonderful, heartfelt tribute to our lost people and their families…i remember that day so clearly..but i also remember how people where towards each other in the days that followed that horrific tragedy..there was a certain sense of brotherhood, a unity that really hadn’t shown itself in some time….we noticed it right away try daily to continue that great feeling of oneness.
    thank you for bringing us together on this blog…i feel uplifted, inspired and happy at my every reading…my God keep us all close to him…..

  70. Jerri Ellen says:

    Hello Everyone,

    After a sad day of reliving so much of 9/11 via the TV tributes, I made Susan’s zucchini soup from her Heart of the Home book for our dinner. (Actually, the recipe can also be found under the Home Cooking tab at the very top of this page.) It was the perfect comfort food for the end of this day. I recommend it to anyone needing a (((hug))).
    Love ya!

  71. Jennie says:

    I think the real challenge now is keeping that same unity alive that we all felt so keenly right after 9/11. Loving our neighbors as ourselves. Because we are not alone.

  72. Karen P. says:

    Susan, you have provided a place through your blog in which we all can come together as we share the sentiments and emotions that we all feel as we recall vividly that horrific day. It is nice to know that our country stands united during tough times such as 9/11 was and that tonight we F.O.S.B. are together under the same gorgeous Harvest Moon that is shining above! Thank you! xoxo….kp

  73. Kathleen Smith says:

    Thank you, Susan, for this beautiful tribute for 9/11. In every blog, book, writing, etc. that you do, you so beautifully express in words what I feel in my heart. God blessed you with an amazing talent…thank you for sharing with all of us. You don’t realize it, but your blogs are very, very uplifting. Promise you won’t stop….! 🙂 xoxo K

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