I'm Speechless.

A bridge, just a few miles from where you live and work, collapses. How should you feel? I guess I’m feeling what everyone else is. Shock. Horror. Anger. Sadness.

This doesn’t happen in Minnesota. That’s been the cry. You hear about these things in another country or even another city, but not here. Suddenly, our city and state are international news and the world is mourning with us.

I don’t take that route and I can’t honestly say that I’ve ever been on that bridge more then once or twice. But, it could have been any one of us. My co-worker, who has his office right across from mine, missed the collapse by 10 minutes. When he arrived close to the scene, a highway worker was running into traffic frantically waving his hands to get people to stop from going any further. He takes this route EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Yet thankfully, he missed it.

Mike, Cameron and I were getting groceries when it happened. As I walked in the door with a screaming, hungry kid under my arm, my cell phone began to ring. Mike grabbed it and said, “It’s your mom.”

I’m thinking, ‘why is she calling my cell?’ as Cameron thrashed and screamed some more as I put him in his high chair. Mom says, “Where are you?”

Frustrated, I said, “I just walked in the door. Why?”

Her response: “The 35-W Bridge collapsed. I just wanted to make sure you guys were okay.”

I was shocked and repeated it to Mike. I hung up with Mom and immediately turned on KARE-11 where we saw awful pictures. Less then five minutes later, my brother called to check on us. They were at the Olmsted County Fair in Rochester and saw it on a TV at the fairgrounds. About 10 minutes after that, my cousin Amy called. Then, Mike’s uncle and Mike’s friend Andy. The next day I fielded 5-6 email queries checking that we were okay too. Wow.

We grieve for those who lost family and friends and for those still waiting to hear news. I can guarantee that I won’t forget this event as long as I live. And I’ll never be stuck in traffic on a bridge again without thinking of this accident. Just coming home last night and having to sit in traffic for a few minutes on the brand new Wakota Bridge was enough to make me sick to my stomach.

I guess my hope is that this accident will wake up government officials as to the transportation money that needs to be made available. In his first run for governor in 2002, Governor Pawlenty talked a lot about wanting to make Minnesota roads better. He was in favor of getting things taken care of. Yes, the amount of highway construction seems like it has increased under his administration, but apparently, it’s not the kind we need. I hope that he can unite with Congress here in Minnesota and agree on a plan. Our public safety is at stake.

Last, Mayor R.T. Rybak of Minneapolis has shown again what a good mayor he is. The word out there is that he has shown “Guiliani-esque” behavior, comparing him to Rudy during 9-11. And, I will say that although I am not a particular fan of Pawlenty, he is also doing a good job.

The outpouring of heroism and love for family and friends is the good part in all of this awful tragedy. Thank you to those who checked in with us. It’s always good to know that you are loved and thought of. And we’re glad to hear that all of our friends and family are okay.