The Viaduct Run

When I was a small boy, maybe around the age of six, I had much difficulty walking (to this day I still walk into an occasional wall, but in my defense they do tend to jump out at me). My mother always told me that I was pigeon toed, which, to a six year old, was like being a circus freak.

Also at around this same time I was active in swimming lessons and many times during the day while my mother was at work my sitter would have to take me to the class. One morning as we crossed over the bridge or, as all the locals call it, the Viaduct something dreadful occurred. About mid way through the adventure the babysitter asked if there were sharks in the river and if I could swim. To both I answered yes. Quickly, or least I remember it that way (remember I was slow and pigeon toed), she hoisted me over the railing of the viaduct and dangled me by my pigeon feet directly above the river.

As you can probably tell both incidents were quite traumatic. After all I was a circus freak with some sort of bird feet that was soon to become the next meal for a dirty river shark. From that day forward I would never cross the bridge by foot, pigeoned or not.

Then on one unexpected afternoon some time later I experienced a miracle in my life. My family was downtown for some reason that I cannot remember and we were heading home. As we approached the fatal bridge there was a small convenient store that my father wanted to stop in. I, seeing the opportunity for more Garbage Pail Kids, decided to go in with him.

Mother was with us that day, but had been arguing with father and decided to walk on without us. As I left the store and realized what my mother had done I became very distraught and searched for her. Within moments I spotted her on the other side of the bridge. Without thought in mind, and yes regardless of what people say this is an unusual condition for me to be in, I began to run.

One would think that a small six your old boy running for his mother was a beautiful thing, right? No, not quite.

Just imagine a young boy running over a bridge crying out to his mother. Now imagine that small boy wearing the typical brightly colored short length shorts of the 80’s. Continue with this thought and place upon the boy’s feet a pair of cheap cowboy boots. (The cowboy boots were worn because I was convinced they helped with my pigeon feet.) I can sense that there is no need to elaborate any further due to you probably being well into a chuckle at this point as you imagine this little boy running over a bridge in such a horrific outfit.

Upon reaching my mother I was swept up into a loving embrace and comfort ran through my childish frame. She then brought my attention to the fact that I had just crossed the Viaduct all by myself. I was absolutely amazed and from that day forward I crossed the bridge with confidence.

I tell you this tale so that you may better understand the passage that states “whatever is true, what is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think of these things.” (Philippians 4:8) When I was a child I focused on all the potential pitfalls and struggles in life instead of something that was pure, like the love of a mother. Today as you go on with your life think not of what bad could come, but of what glory waits and you too may find yourself comforted by a loving embrace.