The Bridge Builder

The Bridge Builder  

(by Will Allen Dromgoole)

An old man, going a lone highway, 

Came at the evening cold and gray
To a chasm vast and deep and wide
Through which was flowing a swollen tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The rapids held no fears for him.
But he turned when safe on the other side
And built a bridge to span the tide.

“Old man,” cried a fellow pilgrim near,
“You’re wasting your time in building here.
Your journey will end with the closing day;
You never again will pass this way.
You have crossed the chasm deep and wide;
Why build you this bridge at even-tide?”

The builder lifted his old gray head.
“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,
“There follows after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This stream, which has been as naught to me,
To that fair youth may a pitfall be.
He too must cross in the twilight dim —
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.”

The Bridge Builder poem has been on my mind since we finished the Leadership training for Mission Presidents and their wives yesterday. The Seminar in Buenos Aires ended Last night. I hope it helped all the Missions in the Area. For the past two days, August 15-16 we have been together sharing ideas for developing and improving the work environment of the Missions but mostly to create unity. That was the whole point of bringing everyone together.  We hope at the end of the Leadership Seminar every one will want to continue being a bridge builder. 

I keep a collection of favorite poems and that one made the cut. I just love the message of this poem.  It serves as a great reminder that as we go through this life we shouldn’t just focus on ourselves and what we can accomplish, we should also stop and look back to figure out how we can make life’s journey better for those who come behind us. What I took from the meetings was the importance of being united. How the Mission Presidents need to get the Stake Presidents, Bishops and mission leaders on board. 

That is exactly what Daniel does in every area he has worked at. He encourages unity. The man in the poem had succeeded in his own journey but rather than just continuing forward he recognized the responsibility to stop and build a bridge so that the people who would travel that road after him, would have an easier route they could take. If each of us would be willing to do that in this life, take the life lessons we have learned and the and the challenges we navigate through and use them to benefit others, it would have a hugely positive impact on all who come behind us. The ripple effect for good would be endless.

 Missionaries are great examples of bridge builders. I thought of those in our family missions. Two nephews from Daniel's side of the family: Rafa and Santi and my cousin son: Christian who so happens to be returning back from his mission today. He was an excellent missionary and is going to report tomorrow in his ward. Welcome home, Elder Holt! 

Con amor,

Vero