An August Reflection

My early morning walk on a recent August day drew me to the Stone Arch Bridge. Only a few walkers and runners joined me. Exercise was not my goal that August Day.  Rather, my goal was to walk until I could clearly see the traffic-bearing 35 W Bridge.  It was to be a time for brief reflection and prayer.

I was drawn to remember the tragic collapse of the busy old 35W bridge.  A handful of years have passed by since the bridge fell into the river.  My thoughts were a quiet prayer for all those who died on that August Day three years ago.

As with the habits of many other people, I had often used that old bridge as my gateway to the west bank of the river.  On this first week of August I was drawn to the river and the memory of the collapse of the old bridge.

That morning I came to the river in memory of the people who died there.  It was my chance to pray again for those who died and for those whose lives were turned upside down because of that tragedy.  I came to offer a prayer, and to pause to remember that sad August day.

A new bridge now spans the Mississippi River at that memorable spot.  The traffic seems to have increased and is now marked at night by the unique blue colored lights that remind me of the river below.

It was a quiet August morning that brought me to the river last week.  It was an unplanned call to prayer.  May God’s blessing be with those families that were touched by the tragedy of that August day.

Fr. Charlie Froehle

Published in Bulletin: August 15th, 2010