THE HAIR-THIN BRIDGE

Oh may the 8 gates of heaven open.
May the deceased go straight through.
God, may you show your unveiled face to him/her.

May he/she quickly pass over the Hair-Thin Bridge on the back of a sheep. * **

*highlighted words - understood in many places. Some believe you walk over the bridge by yourself.

** Ths is a prayer for the dead found in the folk side of their beliefs. It is used in similar cultures in other parts of the world. The Hair-Thin Bridge is long and razor sharp. Falling off means Hell.

GASPS in the group! "The Hair-Thin Bridge! "

One woman said, "Just yesterday I was crossing the bridge (into town) & thought...I hope I can cross the Hair-Thin Bridge as fast as I go across this bridge today."

Another woman had a recent dream about the Hair-Thin Bridge. "The bridge was so long I could not see the end of it. I thought, how will I ever make it across. But I started walking & went across it very quickley."

My quilt, Terror of the Mistake, was created about 10 years ago. One evening I showed it to my friend, her eyes opened wide, "the Hair-Thin Bridge!" she said. "You must bring this to___. They will love it!" I did & they did love it!

A couple of weeks ago, My friend & I returned to the same part of the world, shared the quilt & heard the comments I shared above.

There was much discussion about this quilt. My friend asked the question, "What kind of sheep could carry a dead person across the Hair-Thin Bridge?" After some thoughtful silence the person slowly said, "A very special sheep."

Photo 1 Though I designed heaven's golden streets, they saw the Hair-Thin Bridge.

Photo 2 Me off to the side, where I like to be, enjoying the presentation.

Photo 3 Touching the Hair-Thin Bridge.