“A BRIDGE I WILL NEVER CROSS AGAIN”

I write this speech to celebrate 100 days of independence from nicotine and to promulgate my passing from one important part of my life into another. I dedicate it to Lori, Paige and Megan and apologize for the 28 year delay in its creation. I came across a poem that I think contains many of the things I wanted to communicate to you. The poem is entitled “The Bridge Builder” and was written by Will Allen Droomgoole.

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 sullen tide.

The old man crossed in the twilight dim —

That sullen stream had no fears for him;

But he turned, when he reached the other side,

And built a bridge to span the tide.

"Old man," said a fellow pilgrim near,

"You are wasting your strength in building here.

Your journey will end with the ending day;

You never again must pass this way.

You have crossed the chasm, deep and wide,

Why build you the bridge at the eventide?"

The builder lifted his old gray head,

"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,

"There followeth after me today

A youth whose feet must pass this way.

This chasm that has been naught to me

To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.

He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;

Good friend, I am building the bridge for him."

I have crossed many bridges in my life. My first “A” on a report card, success with baseball, graduation from college, a successful career, beautiful family –the list goes on. There have always been people there throughout my life to support me and teach me how to cross the bridges that they built for me. My wife, parents, and friends have all helped to build bridges that are strong. Unfortunately I have crossed many of these bridges weighted with shame and addiction.

We have always been told to cross each bridge as we come to it and I have learned that those individuals that find the fortitude to cross first finish far ahead of the crowd. As I continue to build my bridge, my heart will be pounding, hands shaking, and my mind racing. Until now the only wood I could find was rotted and dead, from years of denial and neglect. All I could think about when I started was the rushing water beneath. As I continue to build I fight feelings of fear, but when I finally gain control of my fear and ignore the excuses I will be able to live again. I have only started, but the once rushing water now sounds like a fountain and my bridge is strong.

It is important for me to build bridges on my own. With freedom from nicotine comes the responsibility of building a bridge of tremendous strength. I must build this bridge plank by plank. The fog and frustration have dissipated and I am finally able to focus on my work. This bridge may never be finished in my lifetime, but it will surely be one of substance. The reward will be the view along the way and the people I share it with. Those that I love will stand behind me and know that it is safe to follow. This bridge has and will continue to change my life dramatically and therefore must withstand any obstacle. I will build my bridge so that it spans any amount of rising water. Wherever my bridge leads I will always remember that even when it seems I am crossing alone, everyone who has helped me will always be there for me, continuing to help me cross. I will never forget that others have fallen or the sacrifices I have made to get where I am. I have shed the shame and addiction in hopes for longevity and happiness.

When the chasm seems too wide I will remember that I cannot go back, I cannot cross this bridge again.