Bridges in our Lives

I crossed some old bridges today and it started me thinking. This morning as we left Ourense, we crossed the “Roman Bridge” which received its name because the Roman Empire constructed it when they moved through this region. About four hours later we crossed a bridge built in the 14th century. I tried to get some good photos - hopefully you can see the stone work. (Trouble uploading photos from the hostels internet... hopefully later)

I thought of what type of people would cross this bridge hundreds of years ago. Merchants trying to sell their wares, farmers with handcarts and horse drawn carts laden with hay, children running and laughing, and pilgrims on their way to Santiago. I guess my mind has images from movies portraying medieval times and from Robin Hood, Little John, and Friar Tuck. I’m not sure if they’re helpful :) Then I thought why these people and why we might need a bridge. Bridges help make the shorter by helping people navigate treacherous terrain safely, like deep ravines or wide rivers or super highways. Who wants to slip and slide down a rocky or thorny embankment only to have to scramble up the other side? Few people enjoy fording a river when they have the option to stay dry. And playing leap frog across six lanes with cars going 65MPH is not easy (or safe!) - especially with a backpack. As I walked from Cea to Dozon (about 16KM) I tried to develop this thought more articulately, yet it didn’t come together as I hod hoped. Yet I will still try to connect some dots, and hopefully you can see a semblance of a picture :) I began to think of areas in our lives where bridges could help. I started wondering what relationships or activities could serve as bridges for us. Are there bridges for grief or break-ups or unmet expectations or ??? I know the temptation, at times, is to try to forget or to escape these difficulties in life. I’m not suggesting we bypass these things, for often going through these things help us to know ourselves better and to live more fully. Rather, I’m wondering what can help us navigate these things on our journey through life - not avoiding them, yet crossing over them - hopefully with a few less nettles or bit less wet or with a bit less anxiety and a lot more peace. Sometimes we can use Relationships, Activities, Technology (Social Media, Movies, etc.), Work, and even Religion as escapism. I’m wondering how we can allow relationships to help us navigate these things. I’m wondering how I can allow my life to be a bridge for someone else to help them navigate their way through an obstacle with a bit less danger and fear. I wonder how your life can be a bridge, too. Until next time, Buen Camino!