I spent some time this summer in San Francisco, California. A small walk from the Giants’ Oracle Park, I met and closed each day by staring at the Bay Bridge, the little brother of the more well-known Golden Gate Bridge further down the bay.

Maybe it is the Mets fan in me that relates with this not-so-little treasure connecting Oakland and San Francisco. Being a fan of the Amazins’ in a Yankees town is a difficult, yet humbling, life and fandom (Let’s Go Mets the next two days as the next edition of the 2023 Subway Series begins tonight).

Staring at this 87-year old bridge, I would often find myself lost in the parade of cars that flow night and day, many I imagine playing “Lights” by Journey as they take in the change in temperature and thickening or lessening of fog.

There are many metaphors for bridges, especially that of unity which our world desperately requires.

Narrowing the focus, I ponder these days the bridge that we play in our families, especially as parents. We are the bridge between our child(ren) and their grandparent(s). Grandparents, are bridges to past generations, and on and on and on we can go.

My wife’s grandfather went home to God last week, after 93 years of a blessed life. He leaves behind a beautiful family that includes three more generations. He is also the son and grandson and great-grandson, of names I do not know and few truly remember. His life was many things, including that of a bridge, uniting and creating love.

Yes, a bridge is a role that we all play at times, paving the way for new life to be born, to find their purpose, and hopefully leave this planet better than they found it.

Consider this diagram that demonstrates the many bridges that loved you into being. It took 16 people (going back to your great-great-grandparents) to lead to you. Go back seven generations, and you are at 255 people (not including yourself). So much had to occur for your birth- so many stories, heartbreak and joys, laughter and tears. So many bridges linking lives and love.

We play many roles in this life, but being a bridge may be one of the most important. Who knows what your future descendants will accomplish? Who knows who they will be for their fellow pilgrims.

And let us not be limited to biology and family. Consider the many generation of teachers that formed you. Think of the seeds that were planted in classrooms, spiritual conversations, trades, and around the dinner table.

What strikes me most as I watch the Bay Bridge as I conclude this reflection is that being a bridge means it isn’t all about me. Yes, my life links the past and the future, hopefully as a conduit of God’s unconditional love.

Over 260,000 cars ride past the Bay Bridge each day, safely transporting millions of lives on their journey. What a wonderful purpose that deserves our imitation.