A Monument to Unfinished Business

The Town of St. George's, Bermuda, settled by the Virginia Company in 1612, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is one of the oldest surviving English settlements in the New World. On Blockade Alley in St. George's, the ruins of the Unfinished Cathedral greet many tourists en route from the ferry terminal to Tobacco Bay. This beautiful shell of a Gothic cathedral was under construction in the 1870s, and an intended replacement of the nearby St. Peter's church; however, unfortunate circumstances in the form of parish politics, financial difficulties, and a damaging storm resulted in the abandonment of the project. What remains today is the grass-carpeted, open-air shell of a monument. The tranquility of the space, accented by the sea breeze and blue sky, creates a unique sacredness.

The church it was to replace, St. Peter's, was constructed at the end of December 1612. Despite many disasters, reconstruction, and renovations, this church and its grounds have bragging rights as the oldest surviving Anglican church in continuous use outside the British Isles. While walking through St. Peter's, the scent of Bermuda cedar and incense instills a different sense of sacredness, imbued with history and craftsmanship.

Upon reflection after visiting these sites, one could easily question why the parishoners wanted to build a new cathedral in the first place,and why they just abandoned the project on the eve of completion. On the other hand, how amazing that something incomplete and rife with an unfortunate history can stand its ground as a beautiful monument 140 years later!

In life, too, we could create metaphorical sacred monuments to our unfinished business. Sometimes we may choose something new or change course, only to realize later we prefer the original with some improvements. Making different choices is part of our path, and we often arrive with gratitude because of our new undertakings. Along the way, the lessons we learn serve us well. So, rather than lament what we left unfinished, we could adopt a perspective that honors the courage we had to try something new. More important than the 'finished business' is our journey of creating business. On this adventurous journey of life, may we all create our own St. Peter's and a few Unfinished Cathedrals as well!

The Bridge

The island of Bermuda boasts the smallest working drawbridge in the world.  A thick wood panel spans a seventeen-inch gap in the bridge that connects Somerset island in Sandy's Parish with the main island of Bermuda.*

 Whenever a yacht or sailboat wishes to pass through, someone must manually draw the bridge so the mast fits through. Although the original stone base of the bridge was built in 1620, much of the original, including the wooden part, was renovated in the twentieth century to the bridge you see in these photos.

Something so small can serve a practical, functional purpose. It does not have to be the biggest or the best to display its unique place in the community and the world.
So, too, with us. We serve our own unique purpose where we are and make a remarkable significant mark, perhaps as a bridge or passage for others.
As Marianne Williamson explains, we must be our "brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous" selves. Our playing small may not serve the world but being small just may be the best way we serve ourselves and the world. ** 
 
In other words, just being you is a remarkable, significant contribution to the world.
 
 


* Despite conflicting internet reports, the sign on the actual bridge states its width as 17 inches.
** Although it is often  attributed only  to Nelson Mandela's inaugural speech in 1994, the famous quote attributes to Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of "A Course in Miracles", Harper Collins, 1992. From Chapter 7, Section 3]).
Photos by Nicole D. Mignone