Wayside_Wisdom Heard Along the Way
THE BRIDGE NEXT DOOR
"Good fences make good neighbors," Poet Robert Frost observed once long ago. But recently we camped on the shore of Lake Huron within the shadow of the Mackinaw Bridge. There we discovered that a great bridge makes an even better neighbor.
Fences divide; set limits; confine; partition; and enclose. Bridges, however,
connect; span; make a way; open up possibilities; invite us into
what lies ahead; and support our journey. Bridges make great neighbors!
At first light, we could see "Mighty Mac" stretching tall and reaching out strong arms to traffic north and south, large and small. She smiled a welcome as the rays of the rising sun reflected off her towering support columns. She never tired of keeping the waterway open for the flighty little ferries and oversized ore boats.
Squawking gulls landed in her hair. School of fish tickled the toes of her feet planted firmly far below the surface of the vast waters. But nothing distracted her. Neither the steam whistles of ferry boats nor the engine brakes of eighteen-wheelers disturbed her calm. Mighty Mac peacefully, patiently, predictably and proudly welcomed the world to the corner where she was planted: the Straits of Mackinaw.
At day’s end, she gleamed a "good-bye" to the last rays of the setting sun. Then, as darkness fell, her night lights began to appear. Slowly, crimson beacons began to appear around her skirts to warn boats approaching through the darkness. High above, on the top of her head, red beacons began to flash to alert aircraft flying in the night sky. Silently, then, gentle white lights began to shine all along the highway she carried across the straits. Finally, almost shyly, like a beautiful necklace, tiny colored lights glowed up and down her long, looping cables. Mighty Mac, in her evening attire, is an awesome sight!
Good fences undoubtedly do make good neighbors. But having a great bridge next door inspires the whole neighborhood!