Although phrase “a bridge to nowhere” has become a catch phrase for “a useless government project,” what could be more magical than a bridge that disappears off into the unknown? Sometimes the finest journeys are the ones in which we don’t know where we’re headed, where not only what we see along the path but also the destination itself come as surprises.
What have you found when you’ve dared to follow “a bridge to nowhere”?
The youth book BRIDGE TO TARABETHIA by Katherine Patterson comes to mind. It involves two young people who become acquainted and spend time in the mythical spot where the “bridge” is… it represents adventure and trust between them, which is unexpected for both of them. I have a saying: “If you’re afraid to get lost, you won’t see much!” I use this when I’m traveling and get into a situation where the unexpected happens; often there is an additional bonus in sightseeing that way!
re: the “Bridge to Nowhere”:
This is a thought-provoking concept for a ninety-two-year-old humanist UU as I lay me down to sleep at night. There must be many an interpretation among other elders among us.
Patt. I read that book in fourth grade and loved it.
I don’t know if I ever went somewhere or started a project with absolutely no idea of where I was going. However. sometimes I had very little information. For example, when I began to play the flute in seventh grade, I didn’t know how the class (band) would be structured, what kind of music we’d play, nor even exactly what a flute looked like. I didn’t know it would affect my school schedule so much, that I would study it in college, that I’d get a repetitive stress injury, etc. Actually, I’m the only person I know (not the only person in the world! just the only one I know personally) who went to college to study something because learning is fun and the subject is interesting, without any idea of what might come after college or thoughts about how this degree would help me get a job. Now I can’t play flute anymore, and it’s uncertain if I can play recorder again. I don’t know how involved in music I will be a year from now. I doubt I will ever play professionally, but whether I perform in front of a public is uncertain.
As for what I found: a reason to live, exhilaration, pain… there’s far too much to list.
Martin, it pleases me that you remember the book and enjoyed it. A wonderful one, I think. In reading your comments, I see that you have experienced a great loss of your love of playing music. Although I play the piano, I recognize great artists of the piano and enjoy listening to them very much.