We need no reminders of Sept. 11, 2001, for the images of that day – and of days subsequent – are indelibly etched in our minds.

Yet reminders are all around us and somehow they lift our heavy hearts. “Lobsters served 10 ways. God bless America.”

“Pizza. God bless America.”

“Sweet land of liberty. Guitars and drums.”

“Tire sale. Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.”

“Old-fashioned burgers. God bless the U.S.A.”

On marquees or billboards or placards are signs of our times: “Proud to be American,” “Let freedom ring,” “United We Stand,” and everywhere, everywhere we look, the three words “God bless America,” posted at video stores and building supply centers and motels and restaurants.

God bless Americans indeed. As usual, we did what we were requested to do these past two weeks. We went back to work. We raised our flags from their mourning. We resumed “normalcy” the best way we could, by shopping for winter clothes, by shingling a roof, by teaching youngsters geography, by serving on juries, by seeing patients or clients, by paying bills, by flossing our teeth. By doing what each of us does in a daily routine we have been asked – even implored – to maintain.

For the sake of the economy, we’re asked to resume our roles as consumers. We’re told to fly. We’re urged to invest. We’re encouraged to live our lives with unbroken spirits. We’re told to hugs our kids.

We’re asked to be prepared, to be patient, to be tolerant. We’re told to be cautious, not fearful; determined, not fierce. We’re urged to be prayerful and hopeful.

And we’re trying our best to heed all of these calls while knowing in our silent souls there will be far tougher things asked of us in the days ahead, sacrifices we’ll be asked to make and burdens we’ll be asked to bear.

We know because Theodore Roosevelt told us: “It is only through labor and prayerful effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.”

In the challenging days to come, the signs of our times will help fortify us. “Pray for courage, wisdom and strength,” reads one billboard at the entrance to a shopping center. “Pray for America,” says another at the grocery store.

On storefronts and lawns, American flags flap amid falling leaves from maples and oaks. A giant flag flies high above a car lot, while tiny flags stick to posts on a picket fence encircling a house.

Up and down the street, around the corner, up the hill, the signs in front of businesses, one by one, repeat the words “God bless America” in red letters, “God bless America” in black, block letters, “God bless America” in rounded, blue letters.

They are the signs of our times, our local reminders of what has been and is yet to come.

Editor’s Note: Starting Tuesday, Oct. 2, Katherine Heidinger’s weekly column will run Tuesday instead of Thursday in the Style section.