Artwork of a man standing on a rock with arms raised, in front of a rainbow and landscape with flowing water, a bridge, and clouds, set against a Starry Night background, with the text "46 Rainbow Bridge" and a Route 66 shield logo.

46     RAINBOW BRIDGE 

KEY CONCEPTS:  connection, transition, life stages, embracing change, courage to move forward, developmental shifts, reconciliation, forgiveness.

MESSAGE:  If you’re on the wayside demanding explanation or justification, you’ll never cross the bridge.  The thunderstorm forced your stop; you questioned whether it would ever cease.  If you pulled this card today, know there’s a reason for every cloudburst, dear traveler.  Without rain, a rainbow cannot appear.

Your expectations won’t always match reality; it’s better to cast them away.  Hanging high hopes on what lies over the Rainbow Bridge never leads to contentment in the now.  Expectations put a wedge between us and our loved ones; it leads folks to feel they are never good enough to please us.  When today doesn’t match your expectancies, you set yourself up for disappointments…which ruin perfect days, perfect smiles or perfect storms.  Why go looking for anything in the future when there’s always something beautiful to celebrate in this moment?

Have you held onto grudges?  Why not let that flood of rancor flow under the bridge? Forgive, and reconcile with your neighbor.   Be the conduit that allows all good to pass into the world.  Mercy means giving up resentment that your roomie never took her turn mowing the grass.  You’re the one who wants a landscaped lawn; cut it with a cheerful heart.  Life isn’t fair and expecting it to be so pours bitterness into your consciousness.  You can let go of anything and everything, believe it or not.  It’s your choice whether or not to view yourself as a victim.  Forgive transgressors quickly…even for being unforgivable.   You might cross that Rainbow Bridge a thousand times but keep on crossing.  It’s the only way to reach your fellow travelers.

RELATED SITES:   HISTORIC BRIDGES OF ROUTE 66 INCLUDE RAINBOW BRIDGE, BAXTER SPRINGS, KS; CYRUS AVERY ROUTE 66 MEMORIAL BRIDGE, TULSA, OK; JACKSON BOULEVARD BRIDGE, CHICAGO, IL; ADAMS STREET BRIDGE, CHICAGO, IL; RUBY STREET BRIDGE, JOLIET, IL; OLD TRAILS BRIDGE NEEDLES, CA; RIO PUERCO BRIDGE, BERNALILLO COUNTY, NM; IRON TRUSS BRIDGE OVER THE BIG PINEY, DEVIL’S ELBOW, MO.