Bridge Over Troubled Water

The song Bridge Over Troubled Waters, recorded by Simon and Garfunkel, was released in January of 1970.  It was a song that resonated with me after my mother took her own life on March 6, 1970.  The words, like any song or poem, can mean different things to different people, but I see this as straightforward lyrics declaring from one person to another that 

When you're weary, feeling small,

When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all:

I'm on your side.  When times get rough

And friends just can't be found,

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down.

The words reflect that when one person is in despair, we can each be the person who lifts them up, or like a bridge, keeps them above the circumstances until they can cross over and find their way again.

If we are lucky we live in a community where we know our neighbors or there are people who would come to our rescue if we were truly in need.  I grew up in such a community where we both knew our neighbors and had extended family close by.  When something tragic happened, there were people around to help pick up the pieces.  

I was around ten when my Uncle Mart was killed, leaving a young family of five girls and a wife.  My Uncle Mart owned the Shelby Sawmill with my Uncle George Babinec.  I may not have the story straight after all these years, but what I remember is that Uncle Mart was driving a logging truck and somehow fell out of the truck and was run over.  It was thought that he might have had a heart attack.  

I did not go to the funeral, but my mother took us to visitation.  The amount of flowers and their aroma was something I will never forget.  It was overpowering as was the emotion.  It was the first time I had seen a body in a coffin and it was very frightening to me.  The finality of it all.  After the funeral, family stepped in to help my Aunt Ellen cope.  Aunt Ellen is being laid to rest in May next to my uncle who died so many years ago and she will also be  beside their baby boy who only lived a short while.

I remember that time as a circling of the clan.  It is hard to get through grief when we realize a person has gone before what we think should be their time. Such was the case with my Uncle Mart and then my mother.  Their brother, my Uncle Tom died too early as well.

However we can not always control life.  We must just live it.  When tragedies hit we are often surprised that such things can actually happen and we question why.  Weren't we all just normal and happy yesterday?

What can we do to help in such situations?  As part of the last verse of Bridge Over Troubled Water reads:  If you need a friend, I'm sailing right behind.  Like a bridge over troubled water, I will ease your mind.

We can sooth each other's minds by being there and giving love.  It really is a simple thing.

The original version of the song can be found at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjNgn4r6SO5


I also like the Josh Groban & Brian McKnight rendition at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzTDaffqvQ