This sizable, hand-lettered sign appeared yesterday on the Third Street bridge that links German Village to downtown Columbus. At first I thought the sign might be referring to the typically snarled traffic on the bridge — because bad traffic sure can seem like hell — then figured it was just some general encouragement for anybody who might be facing a tough patch in their lives. Since I was heading into work bright and early on a beautiful Sunday morning, the sign had some resonance for me.
What would motivate someone to create a sign like that, and post it on a fence on a public thoroughfare? I can only guess, but I thought it was nice to know that somebody cared enough about their fellow humans to fashion and display a generally applicable message that might give complete strangers a boost.
The quote on the sign is often attributed to Winston Churchill, but there’s serious question about whether he ever said it. Regardless of its source, it’s a useful thought to keep in mind when the super-busy or difficult times roll around. I was grateful to the anonymous sign creator as I walked on to work.
Webner House 