Memories saved and lost,
found and painted
— Dwight Roth
When Dwight posted about this bridge on July 26 of this year, I was intrigued by the story. When I saw the painting he did of the small photo he found at his job as Chief Fixer Upper at Habitat for Humanity, repurposing a canvas from a donation to Habitat, I was compelled to ask Dwight if the painting of the The Pont Alexandre III Bridge was for sale. Dwight said yes, and the next thing I know I’m sending a check and Dwight is shipping the painting. He also sent the original photo it is based on, which I enlarged. The back of the photo says, “Saven River Br.” I did a little research, same as Dwight, and found no Saven River in Europe. I did find a Severn River, but no images of bridges matched the photo. However, searching for images of The Pont Alexandre III brought several image that match up with the photo. I’m convinced that Dwight is right in which bridge it is. Which one it is is important to Dwight’s original telling, which I encourage you to take a look at here before you read any further. Click also on the caption link under the top photo, which will take you to a wiki article about it.
For believers in synchronicity, the silken threads of it were many, between Dwight, the photo, and the 2024 Olympics, but there were more than a few for me also. At the time I saw the post, the photo, and the painting, I was reading a book called, _Anxious People_ by Fred Backman as it was the choice of the local book club for August. I’d thought about attending the club for years and decided it was time. I really had no idea what the book was about but had seen movie adaptations of Backman’s novels and had listened to part of one on audio and enjoyed all of them. Trying to find a format in a font big enough for me to read wasn’t easy and I ended up buying an e-reader to do so.
What started to give me goosebumps was how a bridge fills a central role in the plot of, _Anxious People_. As I completed the novel, I knew that my persistence in acquiring the book was meant to be, just as buying Dwight’s painting of the bridge was meant to be.
Seeing a painting in a photo is good, but seeing the painting in real life was so much better! In shades of black, white, grey, and blue, softness blended with precision. I feel the presence of yin and yang in balance in it.
I was not sure where to install the painting in the house, as my walls are mostly beige or paneled in medium brown. The painting rested for a day or two – until I remembered the entryway has grey paneling on it. I knew this was where it was meant to be. I thought of the symbolism of the bridge in the novel. I thought of the metaphor of a bridge, and how this spot was a bridge between the outside world and the inside world.
I feel the photo was meant to be found by Dwight, who became inspired to breathe new life into the mysteries contained within it. I feel I was meant to have the painting as a reminder of the wisdom found within the novel. Thank you, Mother Cosmos, for your many gifts.
Thanks also to Dwight Roth, for his post, for the painting, and for permission to share his story here.
Tao Talk 
The writing on the back of the photo reminded me of Steve Young’s song “Seven Bridges Road”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9S4GIN8a9E or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpV83ovYAyY
(First is a 1985 live version, second is the original 1969 studio version.)
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Steve I remember this song but not this original. Damfine as the original. I can see where you’d see a connection between them. Thanks for the share, my friend.
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Very cool Lisa! The painting looks great and I’m sure it’s even better in person!
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Yes, it is!
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Its something about having the real painting and not a print…
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Wonderful painting and story, both yours and Dwight’s. I would love also to know the story of the photographer. (K)
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Yes, it is, Kerfe. It’s so neat when things fall together like this. Yes if we only knew who he or she was. As I looked closer at the photo, it almost looks like there is a figure in there down by the water. Can you see them?
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Yes, a shadow.
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That is an interesting story, Lisa, and I’m glad you ended up getting the painting and finding a great spot for it!
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Thanks, Christian. Everything fell into place :)
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It surely did. And it fell into a great place! :-)
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This is really a serendipitous happening
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Yes!
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👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
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❤️❤️
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Wow Lisa! This is a wonderful post. Thank you so much for loving my painting and giving it a home to be enjoyed The way it all came together in so many layers is really special. I love the painting, but I had too many large paintings to keep it on my wall.
I was glad when you said you wanted to purchase it, but also had mixed feelings about giving it up. But, having you enjoy it in this way outweighed and misgivings I had about selling it.
I am amazed at how all those things came together in regard to the bridge itself. The story behind the little photo, we will never know. Sometimes it is the mystery that makes it even more appealing! Thank you again for this and for being a great blogging friend over the years.
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Dwight, I’m so glad you liked the write-up. Thank you for being willing to part with this particular painting. It has found a home here and seems to like where it is. I agree about the mystery behind the photo. We may never know the whole story…
You are welcome, and my thanks go right back to you, my friend <3
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What a wonderful story of discoveries and gifts. Wow! How you must treasure having the painting and the serendipity that helped bring it to you.
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Steve, it’s the best of feelings. Being receptive to it brings many gifts.
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Absolutely!
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