Sunday, October 24, 2010

We all can learn something from this story.

"Perseverance"
sent in by Shelley of Brooklyn, NY...

In 1883, a creative engineer named John Roebling was inspired by an idea to build a spectacular bridge connecting New York with Brooklyn, however bridge building experts throughout the world thought that this was an impossible feat and told Roebling to forget the idea. It just could not be done. It was not practical. It had never been done before.

Roebling could not ignore the vision and after much discussion and persuasion he managed to convince his son Washington, an up and coming engineer, that the bridge in fact could be built. Working together for the first time, the father and son developed concepts of how it could be accomplished and how the obstacles could be overcome. With great excitement and inspiration, and the headiness of a wild challenge before them, they hired their crew and began to build their dream bridge.

The project started well, but when it was only a few months underway a tragic accident on the site took the life of John Roebling. Washington was injured and left with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk or talk or even move.

In spite of the mockery and his handicap Washington was never discouraged and still had a burning desire to complete the bridge and his mind was still as sharp as ever. Suddenly an idea hit him. All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it. By moving this, he slowly developed a code of communication with his wife.

He touched his wife's arm with that finger, indicating to her that he wanted her to call the engineers. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do. It seemed foolish but the project was under way again.

For 13 years Washington tapped out his instructions with his finger on his wife's arm, until the bridge was finally completed. Today the spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man's indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their team work, and to their faith in a man who was considered mad by half the world. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years patiently decoded the messages of her husband and told the engineers what to do.

Perhaps this is one of the best examples of a never-say-die attitude that overcomes a terrible physical handicap and achieves an impossible goal.

Even the most distant dream can be realized with determination and persistence.
Reminding you even the loftiest most challenged dreams can be achieved with persistence and determination --- so each one of you, go out and "build your bridge".

7 comments:

Jinksy said...

Every great achievement has to start with a dream - the trick is turning dream to reality...

Merle said...

Dear Patty ~~ That sure showed us how
determination can get the job done.
I just sent Abe birthday wishes.
Wanted to thank you for the e mail fwds you send. I liked A Strong Person and will send it on soon. I
heard today that a dear friend lost her battle with cancer. My brother Peter is flying down to the funeral and hiring a car, so we can go to the funeral on Friday in a near-by town. So I am feeling sad tonight.
Take care dear friend, Love, Merle.

Arkansas Patti said...

That was amazing and something I wasn't aware of. He impressed me but I was equally impressed with his wife. Both amazing.

Reanaclaire said...

hello Patty, as written in the Bible, perseverance is one of the characters well encouraged..
have a nice day ahead..

Clytie said...

I had never heard of the background of the Brooklyn Bridge. I've only heard the praise and accolades. What a truly remarkable man. And equally remarkable woman!

Merle said...

Hi again Patty ~~Thanks for your comments. Glad you enjoyed my post and the Facts of Death - post it if you would like to.
I hope the big birthday party went well with all the girls doing the cooking which was lovely. I hope your birthday on the 27th will be a lovely day for you. That is the day Peter arrives, so I may forget on the day. Take care dear friend, Love, Merle.

Margaret Cloud said...

This was a very nice story, a bit sad with the death. I know determination can get a lot done if you do not give up. I also wished Abe a happy BD.