Being a Bridge To Someone

When I hear a song that speaks to my heart, I tend to relate it to life experiences-both my own and others’. The other day I was listening to a group singing one of my favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs, Bridge Over Troubled Water. The song is an allegory about life; how we live it and how we navigate the eddies and rapids we all pass through.

When you’re weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I’ll dry them all (all)
I’m on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

All of us have times when we just get tired of the fight and feel alone in our struggles. For me, I’ve had several periods in my life when I felt that way. When I first realized I was “different” than most guys, when my marriage fell apart, when my parents and both brothers passed away, and when all but one of my sisters became estranged from the rest of the family. In each of those instances, I felt like no one in the world cared about me or my struggles; I was wrong, because in each instance a friend helped me by encouraging me and reminding me there was still much to live for and hope for the future.

When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you (ooo)
I’ll take your part, oh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Many of our members have gone through their own difficult times-losing family, losing jobs, even losing their homes. Some struggle to meet even the basic human needs of shelter, food and companionship. Life overwhelms them and threatens to sweep over them like raging floodwaters. But again, in the darkest times, a hand reaches out to them-helping to lift them from the darkness of their thoughts and shining a sliver of daylight into their seemingly hopeless lives.

Sail on silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine
Oh, if you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

Each of you here on this site has been that friend to me or to someone like me-a person who is coming to love and accept themselves after decades of self-deprecation and dismay over what lies in our future. And because of that, I and others have been able to realize that our lives-long hidden in the shadows are about to burst forth in a beautiful sunrise. It’s the beginning of a new dawn in our lives where we can let our light from within shine. The combined brilliance of thousands of us as we achieve our dreams can illuminate the darkest corners of the world to help others rise up to be true to their souls. All our dreams are INDEED on their way and we can ALL be that friend –to one or to many. BE that bridge over troubled water! What a glorious world we can make together!

Cyn

PS-After writing this, I got a PM from someone who felt discouraged and ignored. All I did was reply to them with a note of encouragement and empathy…it took just 5 minutes. But that reply made that person’s day-just knowing someone cared enough to reply. Do YOU have five minutes?

More Articles by Cynthia S

• Mother’s Day 2022
• Fallen never forgotten
• What can YOU do?
• The Fire Within
• Don’t just survive-Thrive!

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Cynthia S

Crossdressed since age 11 til age 53 as of 2018. Joined Crossdresser Heaven in August 2015. Since then I have been exploring my feelings and trying to determine what my best path is -staying CD and just getting out more often and openly as i have been recently; social transitioning outside work; or actually transitioning full time; just not certain what's right for me.

Latest posts by Cynthia S (see all)

• Mother’s Day 2022 - May 4, 2022
• Fallen never forgotten - May 26, 2021
• What can YOU do? - January 30, 2021