I wanted to write a memorable op-ed piece about the importance of a bridge—not any bridge in particular—Merriam-Webster gives fourteen different definitions of “bridge.” But a childhood memory prompted me to this: bridges fascinate and frighten me. One of my earliest encounters with a bridge was the one on Deepstep creek beside Mr. Pittman’s grist mill. I was sitting on the wooden curb of that bridge when a pickup truck rumbled across. As it crossed near me, a board pinched the calf of my leg making a blood blister. Not that the bridge was unsafe—-I was just sitting in the wrong place. It made that bridge memorable!
That bridge, the millpond dam, and Mr. Pittman’s grist mill are long gone—-giving way to the paved road crossing the creek. Most bridges are essential. A bridge, planned and built well in a strategic place is an immense benefit. Then there is The Bridge to Nowhere. Located in the San Gabriel Mountains of California—the bridge truly goes nowhere. That large, sturdy bridge, unlike some useless bridges, was not a boondoggle. It was part of a new important route through the mountains. However, after the bridge was completed, dramatic shifts in the mountains in other parts of the route created insurmountable costs to complete the plans.
A bridge should connect. Physical bridges connect communities, travel routes, and add beauty fo the landscape. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco comes to mind. This bridge was built against all odds; scientific advice, natural elements, costs, loss of lives—nevertheless, it was built and stands as as an engineering marvle of the ages.
A bridge of greater value is a bridge connecting relationships. Most of us read, heard, or remembered history of the Constitutional Convention of 1787. While we praise and admire the product of that event—These United States of America—it came with great travail. After gaining independence from the King of Engalnd, these Colonies struggled dramatically, and from that struggle built a bridge—one could safely say—several bridges of consensus to create this nation.
Like the physical bridges throughout our land that need repair, renewal—if not replacement, our human bridges need constant care and feeding; understanding, trust, and effective compromise are vital to the integrity of our relationship bridges. This from an article published in Web-MD to maintain a close friendship… Be present. Make the time you spend together count. Put away your cell phone. Avoid distractions. Ask questions, and be an active listener. Engage in the conversation. Use good eye contact. If you want to “cross a chasm” it follows that you must build a bridge.
I think of an old Jewish guy who had two sons-–one was practical, the other had wanderlust—staying at home on the farm was confining. He wanted freedom. He got it; and he got a genuine life-lesson. Upon hitting bottom, he realized he was alone. The only bridge he knew was home, and his father. He thought it was a bridge too far, but had no other choice. Returning home, “with his tail tucked between his legs,” he found redeeming love. His father too, crossed a bridge that tradition deemed too far. But a Father’s love is never a bridge “to nowhere.”
©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2024
You have written another classic about the many kinds of bridges that keep us connected with people we love — family and friends.
One of my earliest childhood memories was going to visit my maternal grandfather every Sunday afternoon. My Daddy would park our car out of the way of traffic ( there wasn’t much back then) and we would walk across a “swinging bridge” to Granddaddy England’s house across a river. When we children got to the middle, my naughty brothers would start shaking the bridge, and I would be terrified. Of course they would never have let their shenanigans hurt me, but as the youngest of four, I kept forgetting that.
Thank you Dottie! I just found this comment. I’m glad it brought pleasant (well, mostly) memories!