Talk:Wanette-Byars Bridge
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many happy times have been shared by the local citizens near and around the wanette/byers bridge. it is a land mark that stands to remind one and all that once upon a time things were different for this area. once these two small communities were thriving, busy and throughly modern[for the day] small cities. saturdays...you could barely find a place to park. everyone came to town to do their business and catch up with their friends and neighbors on the news and gossip. the train used the bridge then, stopping in wanette, allowing the passengers the opportunity to feast at one of the finest restraunts in the state. both towns were full of all types of stores to meet the people's needs. they were pretty self- sufficient back then. groceries, hardware, new vehicles, banks,hotels, furniture , clothing,gifts , and toys. they were big on bringing the people together with many churches,and town celebrations for every holiday. everyone knew and helped each other. the bridge allowed goods to be brought to the towns from major cities like okla. city and dallas. that made it more affordable for the business owners to pass on their savings to their customers. all their medical needs were met. medicines were attainable. transportation was available to those who needed or just wanted to go to the big city. the bridge linked the people to many more options. the farmer could get his crops to market more reasonable and with more speed, as well as the ranchers hauling their beef to be sold. that bridge was a masterpiece of work, and now a forgotten present skill of the past. after it burnt, it was replaced with concrete, because the master bridge builders were all gone. seemed no one remembered or knew how to restore it to it's original state. today's builders have no need of the knowledge anymore. there are no more bridges such as the wanette/byers bridge to build. it is obsolete. we all love our bridge. there is not a one of us that hasn't made memories there, be it fishing, fireworks, bonfires,picnics, dunebuggies, swimming,exploring, barefeet in the deep sand, digging out stuck cars, holding hands with a prospective spouse, or writing our true love's name upon the bridge itself. i'd bet it has been host to 50,000 names over the decades. we all left a little something there, but we all took a little something with us when we left. that bridge...it's " MAJOR"...and it's not just a bridge. it is an old and dear friend to one and all. it is our very best confidant. it knows all of our secrets, and it never tells on us. memories were made there. lives were changed. and it is still ongoing with this generation. something about it draws you there. from there you can see forever. the sky seems bigger, the stars are brighter, the sunsets more spectactular, the sounds more clear, and God is just a quickened breath away. it is almost a spiritual experience, and perhaps has been just that for some of us. it is a good place to sit and think, and tell HIM what ails you or to give thanks. i believe from that bridge HE can hear you, does hear you, and more than not, you get the answers that you seek. the folk on both sides of the bridge were heartbroken when that boy set that fatal fire. we all took it personal, "real personal". and not to mention the hardships it made on so many. it is a long ways to detour around it. some farmers and cattlemen live on one side, but raise their crops and cattle on the other. it made for long days and added expence, and the winter feedings were tedious and even dangerous at times.we love our bridge. it belongs to us. those before us introduced us many moons ago. we are the caretakers, and it takes care of us as well. those already stepping up to take our place, and those yet to come, will learn many things there, as we did. humility, respect,pride, self-worth, and love, maybe. and with the bridge there, the towns can still unite and maybe they will have a better chance of survival together than they would have standing alone. it is a passing culture, a commidity there is not much of a need for anymore. the two towns and the bridge are like old, old men sitting around on wooden chairs, watching the world pass them by, only commenting when it can't be helped, whittling soft wood with worn down sharp pocket knives given by their fathers so long ago they can't remember,but they do remember. you can see it in their tobacco chaw stained faces. it shines in their eyes like a beacon. and you have to feel pride just for witnessing and you can't help but smile and feel a little better about it all. the three weathered many, many storms, and they're still there and very much alive. and it is for them and it is for you, a promise of a tomorrow, another chance, an immortality of hope. somethings "DO" last, and right here is proof. we will share all we have and all we have not. the bridge taught us unconditional love without any kind of pregidious towards any of God's creations. anyone may pass over. the bridge invites you. and if you wish, stay awhile, kick your shoes off. ya'll come back now. you hear!!! [p.s. never forget the face of your Father. if you don't know and remember where you came from and the things you learned on the way to "HERE", how will you possibly ever get to "THERE". without the rememberence, there is no satisfaction. no sence of achievement.no sweet memories of having crossed that finish line...what success tastes like, remembers like.....it is just one long hard run...you'll never catch the scent of the rose or make friends with a bridge or pass your knowledge and secrets to your own. and the legacy will die,and we will not only have cheated the ones to come, but ourselves as well. the fires will go out, the smiles will fade,the old men will fold up their pocket knives for the last time, the towns will decay, the bridge will become unneccessary and it, too, like it's builders, will cease to be....and those still here will....not......remember......]
