• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Catholic Review

Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Menu
  • Home
  • News
        • Local News
        • World News
        • Vatican News
        • Obituaries
        • Featured Video
        • En Español
        • Sports News
        • Official Clergy Assignments
        • Schools News
  • Commentary
        • Contributors
          • Question Corner
          • George Weigel
          • Elizabeth Scalia
          • Michael R. Heinlein
          • Effie Caldarola
          • Guest Commentary
        • CR Columnists
          • Archbishop William E. Lori
          • Rita Buettner
          • Christopher Gunty
          • George Matysek Jr.
          • Mark Viviano
          • Father Joseph Breighner
          • Father Collin Poston
          • Robyn Barberry
          • Hanael Bianchi
          • Amen Columns
  • Entertainment
        • Events
        • Movie & Television Reviews
        • Arts & Culture
        • Books
        • Recipes
  • About Us
        • Contact Us
        • Our History
        • Meet Our Staff
        • Photos to own
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • CR Media platforms
        • Electronic Edition
  • Advertising
  • Shop
        • Purchase Photos
        • Books/CDs/Prayer Cards
        • Magazine Subscriptions
        • Archdiocesan Directory
  • CR Radio
        • CR Radio
        • Protagonistas de Fe
  • News Tips
  • Subscribe

Crossing a bridge

January 30, 2019
By Rita Buettner
Filed Under: Blog, Open Window

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

There’s something about the Bay Bridge.As you drive across, you have the most amazing view—as long as you’re not too scared to look.

Many days there are fishing boats and sailboats and barges carrying freight. On a cold winter day, there are fewer of the small boats, but the view is still magnificent.

As a child, when I crossed the Bay Bridge, it meant we were on our way to a beach vacation—one of the most magical experiences of my childhood.

When I started dating the man who would become my husband, traveling east across the bridge meant I was on my way to visit him.

When we married, we lived on the Eastern Shore, and I crossed the bridge twice a day on my commute to Annapolis. The bridge lost a little of its magic for me then, but it never lost its majesty. It’s such an extraordinary structure.

I never minded crossing the bridge, except on the days of traffic jams. When you’re stopped in traffic on the bridge, it sways. You can pray a whole Rosary, covering all the mysteries, and still be sitting and waiting for traffic to move.

Today when my husband and I cross the bridge, we are usually heading to the Eastern Shore to visit my in-laws, who live there. We have our two children in the car with us. They are asking questions about what they see, commenting on the view, wondering how the bridge was built, curious about the boats far below. The Bay Bridge, for them, offers its own excitement.

Crossing that bridge is different every time. The water is never quite the same color. The light and the clouds in the sky vary. Some days there are birds in the sky, some days there are choppy waves, some days there is rain leaving a pattern on the surface of the water.

But it isn’t just the scenery that changes. The people in the car are a little different each time, too.

As we drive across, I can’t help but think of the other times we’ve crossed the bridge and how much has changed in our lives. And, when you’re sailing across the bridge, soaring into the sky, and looking down on the water far below, you can’t help but be in awe of the man-made structure against the backdrop God created.

For me, riding across the bridge is a time to set fear aside and place yourself fully in God’s hands, trusting that you will arrive safely at the other side. That brief journey across the Chesapeake Bay offers a time to marvel at where you are and where life will take you next.

There’s just something about the Bay Bridge.

Print Print

Share
Share on Facebook
Share
Share this
Pin
Pin this
Share
Share on LinkedIn

Primary Sidebar

Rita Buettner

View all posts from this author

| Recent Commentary |

Cupcakes with 2025 graduation toothpicks in them and a bowl of cookies

Our 31-hour Road Trip

St. Paul and discovering that sin is ‘missing the mark’

Six lit candles on a chocolate birthday cake

Making a birthday wish come true

Pilgrims of Hope: Walking the Way of St. Francis in the Year of Jubilee

The fisherman and the pharisee

| Recent Local News |

Archbishop Lori announces clergy appointments, including pastor and associate pastors

DUAL ENROLLMENT

Double the learning: Dual enrollment provides college credit to high school students

St. Mary’s purchases former Annapolis Area Christian School

Radio Interview: Exploring the Nicene Creed – Part Two

St. Clement Mary Hofbauer adapts to times, cultures as it celebrates 100th anniversary

| Catholic Review Radio |

CatholicReview · Catholic Review Radio

Footer

Our Vision

Real Life. Real Faith. 

Catholic Review Media communicates the Gospel and its impact on people’s lives in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and beyond.

Our Mission

Catholic Review Media provides intergenerational communications that inform, teach, inspire and engage Catholics and all of good will in the mission of Christ through diverse forms of media.

Contact

Catholic Review
320 Cathedral Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
443-524-3150
mail@CatholicReview.org

 

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Recent

  • Movie Review: Superman
  • Judge blocks Trump birthright citizenship order as part of class action lawsuit
  • Ukraine religious leaders issue ‘desperate cry’ to world to end Russia’s war
  • Pope Leo wears Chicago-made vestments to July 9 ‘care of creation’ Mass
  • Movie Review: Sorry, Baby
  • ICE deports Iowa parishioner to Guatemala homeland as supporters pray for his release
  • Come away and rest awhile
  • French woman hopes sharing mystical encounter with Minnesota Benedictine helps sainthood cause
  • Pope: Vatican still ready to host peace talks between Russia, Ukraine

Search

Membership

Catholic Media Assocation

Maryland-Delaware-DC Press Association

The Associated Church Press

© 2025 CATHOLIC REVIEW MEDIA, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

en Englishes Spanish
en en