what doesn't happen

a few weeks ago i was driving down the highway at about 75 mph (if you are part of law enforcement and you are reading this, please read 75 as 65, you know, artistic license and all), and i was all safe and secure inside my 2000 mazda protege. zoom zoom. when out of nowhere, this bolt comes kicking off the road in front of me, from under the tires of whatever vehicle i was behind, and i see it rise up in the air and then return to earth with on a forceful arch, coming right at me. i flinched out of the way as if my windshield didn't even exist and the metal might hit me in the face, but as it hit the windshield i quickly realized that this was going to mean a costly repair, at the very least. but amazingly, although it hit the windshield with cataclysmic pop, it did no damage to my car. it just rolled down the windshield and onto my wiper blade. and it just sat there. for the duration of my trip. when i got home i pulled it off and took it inside, resolved to keep it as a reminder of just how many accidents i am so close to having all the time. when i drive. when i cross the street. when i forget to wash my hands. when my son rides his scooter down the driveway. when i mow the lawn with my sandals on. and so on and so forth. accidents are all around us and we just barely miss them. they could come crashing down on us on a forceful arch, but, by the grace of God, we survive most of these unscathed. not always. sometimes life hits us hard and the windshields break. and we have to learn and grow through those moments. but we should also appreciate all the accidents we don't have. we should give thanks each time we get out of our car and each time we get out of bed and each time we get out of another day with all our limbs and all our children and all our capacities to say "thank you." so, today, be thankful. and watch out for falling hardware.