"What's In A Name?"

"The Bridge To Forever" comes from my personal belief in a life after this mortal life we have here on earth.  One day I know I'll return to live with my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I'll also see my loved ones that have gone on before me; family and friends that are so special in my life.  We'll be reunited once more across time and space.

My parents, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles are all physically gone from my life, but their spiritual influence in the life I'm living still goes on.  I can reach out across the spiritual plane and still touch my parents through my thoughts and prayers.  I miss them, but I know I'll see them again, and for that knowledge, I am truly grateful.

I was blessed to have grown up in a close, loving family.  To this day I can still hear my parents' wise counsel on a variety of subjects and how they shared their counsel so lovingly.

Through a series of connections that took place gradually over the last few years, I was introduced to Malani O'Connor by our mutual friend, William Marin.  From the beginning, there was something special about Lani.  We would share brief e-mails, often sharing inspirational quotes, and from time to time, when Lani would be faced with one trial or another, she'd write to me and ask if I had any "words of wisdom" I could share with her that might help her, and most of the time I think I found something that would do the trick.

Then, in early February, I received a shattering email from William ... Evan was gone ... an accident.  Words of strength and consolation were sought and I reached out to Lani with "The Bridge To Forever", to try to express what was in Lani's heart as she was reaching out to Evan.  Since then two things have transpired ... I'm in the process of rewriting my poem into a song, and William and Lani asked me for permission to use "The Bridge To Forever" as the name of the foundation they were establishing in honor of Evan.  I'm grateful for the privilege and the honor.

Jace Carlton
May 2006