Take a moment to appreciate the Long Bridge magic

One day last week I was a little late on the way to work in Sandpoint. As I crossed the Long Bridge I was concerned about missing an appointment and preoccupied with the things I needed to do when I got to work. After I got off the Long Bridge and rounded the corner by the Community Hall, I realized I had left my cell phone at home. I knew I needed it for work. I was already late, but I turned around and went back home to get the phone. Now instead of being 15 minutes late it would be closer to an hour. I was really upset with myself as I approached the south end of the Long Bridge.

But then something amazing happened. The lake was extremely quiet, the mountains were dusted with some of the first snow, my little hometown of Sandpoint was calm and safe and welcoming. There wasn’t much traffic on the Long Bridge and I was able to slow down and take it all in.

I told myself that from now on at least once every week or two, I would deliberately forget my phone at home. That would give me a good excuse to come across the Long Bridge a second time, and truly appreciate that Long Bridge magic.