When things come tumbling down

I’m going in lots of different directions today – literally and figuratively. 

With the impact of yesterday’s Minneapolis I-35 Bridge disaster – which happened right here in my geographic community – looming large in my mind, I’m grateful for the safety of my family and friends, concerned and sad about the losses that have happened and will be growing as the recovery process continues, and proud of how my community has responded heroically to such an incredible event.

I was across the country yesterday when the bridge collapsed, and had a bit of panic when couldn’t reach my husband by phone immediately (how we have trained ourselves to expect the instant and constant possibility of contact!).  Irrational thoughts raced through my mind in the 10 minutes it took for me to get a hold of him by phone.  Watching unbelievable images on the TV, I couldn’t immediately place which bridge it was that had collapsed.  My mind sped through what I knew to be my family’s schedule yesterday, trying to figure out where they might be.

All’s well in my household and in those in our immediate circle, but that won’t be true everywhere.  Within and beyond my community, tragedies – large and small – hit everyday.  With this event as a reminder, I’m struck – as I notice myself getting nervous today crossing any bridge in this city of many, many bridges over water – of how we lure ourselves into comfort, and fear, about our permanency, about the preciousness of our time here. 

Rather than fearing the many potential dangers that lurk anywhere at any time, how can we more fully claim, embrace and dance with the beauty and magnificence in small and large experiences everyday?

We have no idea when one of life’s bridges will come tumbling down for us or those we love.  How can you embrace gratitude and wonder today?