The “Gabby” Giffords Bridge

Where is the dedication ceremony going to be for the first “Gabby” Giffords Bridge?  There should be bridges renamed after Congresswoman Giffords in every state. Every time we see Congresswoman Gabrielle “Gabby” Giffords, we should all shout and cheer because the world witnessed without a doubt, a miracle.  Because her recovery is a miracle witnessed by the world, there should be an equal response of goodness by the world.  Do we dare not stand up and make note of it?

You might be asking yourself.  Why a bridge dedication and why now?  The dedication is the reminder that “ugly” can happen anywhere.  The “debt fiasco” and “Gabby goes to Washington” is the answer to why now.  According to Webster’s Dictionary, the word “bridge” has quite a few different meanings.  For this point, think about the actual structure and how it connects separate parts together.  In a symbolic way “Gabby” is the bridge. 

A few examples of those separate parts that come to mind would be a divided Congress, divided America, and divided thinking.  Whatever you choose to think about that needs bridging in your life, remember Congresswoman Gabby of Arizona’s 8^th district.  It is a reminder of what should have never been while providing a glimmer of hope that America should pull together without tragedy.  Dedicating a bridge in each state brings the reminder closer to home.

Some might say this tragedy was the act of one individual and this would not have happened anywhere else.  Many would disagree the tragedy could have played out anywhere in America with any of our elected officials and their constituents; it could have been any of us.  Nevertheless, someone is always hanging around to push the envelope as history has proven with MLK, Kennedy and Lincoln assassinations.  Let us not forget the World Trade Center tragedy.  Things can get out of hand very quickly when hate, bigotry and just plain insanity creeps up into the equation. 

When she stepped out of recovery and headed to Washington to cast her vote against the debt disaster, she not only lived up to her congressional duties, but also the Girl Scout Promise.  Although she was a Girl Scout many years ago and reconnected recently, the promise stays in each girl’s heart.  It is a promise that never seems to leave the girl once being a Girl Scout.

The Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try

to serve God and my country,

to help people at all times,

and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

It does not matter that “Gabby” is an Arizona representative.  What matters is that we were all a witness to the miracle.  Look into your life and wherever there is division build a bridge.  For those parents of girls, sign them up for the Girl Scout experience.  It will be a lifetime gift that keeps giving. The seed has been planted for the bridge.  Will you water it?

We continue to pray for all those affected by the Arizona tragedy.