As families struggle to make ends meet, businesses scratch and paw to stay afloat, and protesters occupy Wall Street, we here in the ‘Ville face our own share of challenges in this seemingly stalled economy.

Still, a good number of us have managed to keep body and soul together in spite of the many roadblocks that incessantly present themselves. Many smaller as well as larger businesses are actually thriving in our midst. It is cold comfort to the many who are jobless and to those whose livelihoods may be hanging together by mere threads. But we must take stock in what is good and viable and make the most of it when we can.

The American character is tough, resilient, and innovative. This has always been the case and we must strive to maintain that “can do” spirit for as long as it takes to see things turn around and a real recovery begin to take shape.

We applaud those who have hung in and made a modicum of success for themselves as the momentum of recovery gradually lumbers forward. Their hard work and faith in the system should inspire us all to persevere and move forward, no matter how hard it may seem in the present moment.

This economy will rise again. Too many heroes of enterprise are doing their best to make sure that it does. We salute them, one and all.