So Thankful

As I just started blogging in March of this year, today is my first September 11th as a blogger. And I'm pensive. I think many of us are on a day like today. My blog posts usually come to me very easily. I write freely, naturally; I don't have to struggle with words or dwell on the details of what I'm writing. It just flows.
Today is different.

I think back to September 11th, 2001 and I remember how different my life was back then. We had one small child; we were struggling with infertility treatments and the monthly cycle of hope and disappointment. I had a corporate job and a long commute, and while I don't miss the commute,
I do miss my former colleagues, who were a huge part of what made that job great.

(Happy birthday today, by the way, to both Laura Lea and Candace! I really miss you gals, and hope you're reading this!)

I guess I feel an obligation to be less frivolous today; more meaningful. And it's fitting; my life now is full of meaning. Of course, I do miss the pace and passion of TELUS, but I love where my life is right now. I am truly blessed. Stephen and I have three great children, a growing company, each other, as well as a tiny bit of time (which we take whenever we can) for fun with family and friends.

And I love the passion I have found for scrapbooking; the wonderful friendships I have made in the scrapbooking community. I've been published once, and have three more pages coming out in this winter's Canadian Scrapbooker. It's fulfilling; it makes me happy and proud.

My cup runneth over.

In some small way, I want to give back today. I want to pass along the emotion I feel when I think back to that fateful day. But can I do it justice - me, so removed from the tragedy of those who perished or lost family members on September 11th, 2001?

What can I possibly add?

Here, perhaps, is my answer. I'm not a cardmaker, but I was moved by a challenge recently posted on The Scrapping Nook by a fellow scrapper, Corinne. She is putting together a package of Christmas Cards to be sent to the Canadian troops overseas; those who will be on duty and far away from their families at Christmastime. So, despite my lack of cardmaking prowess, I put together a set of cards and sent them off to Corinne for her project.

So that is my tiny contribution today. I hope that the meaning I am searching to share will be evident to the men and women who open those cards, and help them feel the gratitude and respect, the hope and honour I feel for those at risk and those lost to tragedy, whatever the date.

Today, more than most days, I feel so thankful.