In our book, An Explosion of Being, my wife Barb and I explore many facets of life and the paranormal. In this category of blog postings, you will find some of those explorations quoted directly from selected chapters. In each instance, after deciding on a topic we wanted to probe, Barb would relax completely and I would ask the question. The result was channeled communications flowing through Barb from what we simply called, The Source.
This posting focuses on the May 9, 1980 Skyway Bridge Disaster that occurred in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area. It comes from chapter 7 which is titled, “Life and Afterlife as Learning Concepts” and it is being told from Barb’s perspective. Photos of the bridge, courtesy of Florida Memory, Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services:
“THE SUNSHINE SKYWAY BRIDGE stretching over a portion of Tampa Bay loomed before us. Roadways reached gently upward to disappear into the towering maze of steel girders at the summit. Our lane of traffic was diverted to the left-hand span of the bridge, turning what was usually a one-way flow into two-way movement. Progress became sluggish as we began the slow incline, leaving the road to our right vacant and strangely lonesome.
“Brake lights flashed as Doug guided the car towards the crest of the roadway, finally bringing us to a full stop just inside the entrance to the huge metal structure. Looking toward the right, we stared at a chilling sight. Abruptly ending in the swirling sea air over Tampa Bay was the twin span of the bridge, leading nowhere.
“Stretching for over 1,000 feet, that bridge, normally used by southbound traffic, no longer existed. The kids, minutes before, had pointed out the twisted wreckage lying on the sandy beach. But, sitting there, stalled in a line of cars, the view of that incredibly empty space to our right, forced the awesome impactof this disaster to etch itself into the family consciousness.
“Several months before our trip, a barge, pushed by hurricane force winds and blinding rain, rammed the bridge. In the furious storm of that early morning, the structure collapsed, sending cars, a bus, and tons of metal crashing into the bay. More than thirty people were killed, some of them small children. If the timing had been right, we could have been among them, and we shuddered.
“Closeness to catastrophe often stimulates a certain amount of introspection and questioning. We were no exception to this process, but, unlike most people, we later went to our trance communications to capture whatever explanations might be offered:”
“Q: Tell us what purpose was involved in the Skyway Bridge Disaster.
“A: Everyone has to find a play for existence in this realm. You (Doug and Barb) are too attuned to desirable ends with your lives. This purposeful circumstance will show more meaning in your time. But, be sure to weigh yourselves carefully, as each event is connected with another set of circumstances that will also be headed as ‘tragic’ one day.
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I find that paranormal experiences aren’t always recognized as such at the time. For me, odd or strange events only get defined as paranormal after further thought and investigation. This happened a number of years ago when I saw something in the road on my way to work.
On this particular day, about half way to school, the road ahead stretched out into the surrounding light mist but wasn’t obstructed by it. Quite a distance ahead, something flickered ever so slightly. It seemed to be a small flashing of light on the road itself. At first, I thought I was imagining it because the thing was so small.
vanished. In it’s place, I could see a dead animal. When I got there, I saw that it was a large raccoon. No sign of the spark.
