I often end up writing about bridges. They are, of course,
symbolic in many ways and I have found ideas of crossing over, transitioning,
making changes and arriving in new places compelling things to write about. And
it was just recently that I found myself thinking of bridges again.
I think
it is rare to find a friend with whom you share the unique ability to
communicate with in such a way where it makes no difference how much time has
passed- even years- and yet the conversation continues. My good friend and I
recently reunited after what I am ashamed to admit was a 4 year separation. We exchange the occasional informative email,
but this was our first face-to-face for far too long. It’s not easy with both of
our overwhelming schedules to find time to travel the distance between us, but
I was glad to have the chance to finally visit her, if only for a brief day and
a half. And, as always, we picked up our story exactly where we had left off.
The thing about this friend is that we are
remarkably similar in a lot of ways, yet our lives have taken different paths
for many different reasons. We have both had our share of successes and
achievements as well as disappointments and hardships and distractions. So
while our lives are, at the moment, very different, there is always plenty to
discuss, plenty to think about and plenty to share.
My
friend lives in a very unique place. Looking out of the window of her apartment,
the view is framed by two very impressive bridges- Hell Gate Bridge and the
Triborough Bridge. Both (if I’m not mistaken) cross over from her home in
Astoria into Manhattan, or in that direction at least. She is perched on the
edge of one of the busiest places on Earth (as opposed to me who is perched on
the edge of a bunch of farms, corn fields, and some very friendly chickens, as
I recently discovered). Yet her home is quiet and warm and comfortable and I
felt just as much at home there as in my farm land back home.
As I
said, it is rare to have a friend like mine and I don’t take that for granted.
She is the kind of person who can and does succeed at everything she goes for.
She is unafraid to take those challenges in life that would break a lesser
person. She is brave enough to cross those, or any other bridges. I am in awe
of her accomplishments, her spirit and her incredible knowledge.
It
wouldn’t be completely wrong to say that I doubt myself, on occasion. (I can
hear my therapist laughing in my head…). It has happened, more than once, that
I have come to a bridge in my life and been absolutely terrified to cross, or
even to take a step forward. I wonder if there are places I could have gone if
I didn’t carry that fear. I wonder if moving too slowly has colored my life for
the worse at times. But my courageous and amazing friend, who has braved so many things,
reminds me this isn’t true. She thinks that I am doing ok. She, a person I
admire more than I can say, calls me brave, tells me I haven’t screwed it all
up. And while the rational part of me already knows it, her words, along with
the words of my other amazing, daily supporters, shore up that knowledge and
help me choose the next bridge to cross.
So here
is a big thank you to my friend, who has remained nameless just in case she
would like to stay that way! Thank you to those people who love me and see me
and believe in me. You are all the wind that pushed me forward, and I am
forever grateful.
