Building the Bridge

A few weeks ago, while pondering my career choices, I wondered why I couldn't just start my own non-profit organization to begin working for a change in the world, instead of struggling to convince the hiring people at my favorite charities that they really need to hire me.

The difficulty with this train of thought was trying to figure out exactly what type of non-profit I should start.  With no solid ideas, I dismissed the idea as something that just wasn't really viable at this time.  Then a week or so later, while having brunch with husband, best friend, and other wonderful people, the conversation turned to our various strengths in the non-profit, academic, and practical worlds.  Half-joking I said, "Well then, let's change the world, what are we going to fix."  As everyone kind of looked around at each other, I said, "Seriously, we're the future of the world, let's pick something and fix it! What's it going to be?"

Husband and our good friend said simultaneously, "Homelessness and hunger."

And we were off and running, the whole table brainstorming about how we could get this project going.  I don't know if anyone else there knew just how serious I was about taking action, but here we are.  We got home that day and brought our idea to my mother, and she was right there with us, coming up with more ideas, ready to do what it takes to get this new organization going.

For a few days, James & I tossed around ideas for a name, but nothing really felt right.  Then on our way out to visit his parents in Wisconsin, I asked if there were song lyrics or a song title that he'd like to see if we could use.  He quickly came up with "Anyone Seen the Bridge" a DMB tune that's used as a connector at most live performances.  I liked the idea, especially since he main focus of our organization is helping people find their way back to communities, but again, it wasn't quite right.

Later that night, standing in The Depot, a restaurant in Oconomowoc, WI, watching our son play with a train set in the entrance, I noticed several bridges in the set, and was reminded of a song that James wrote called "Crossing Bridges." 

The song was inspired by the Memorial Bridge in Portsmouth, NH which has recently been torn down and is in the process of being rebuilt.  Memorial Bridge holds so many memories for both myself & James; from childhood through adulthood, that it seemed fitting to reference it in some way.

I headed back to our table and told James my idea; he hesitated for a minute (never one to take too much credit for any good idea) and said. "I like it if you do."  Extending my hand, I said, "Done."

And thus, Crossing Bridges - An Outreach Community was born.