Thankfulness and wandering

Speaking of moderation, I had a moderate amount of scariness yesterday.

After work, I ran an errand and was taking an unusual route home. I was contemplating the coming week (and months, really) and humming a song I’d just heard when I heard a strange cracking sound. It sounded a little like thunder. But more like cracking wood.

I glanced up in time to see a giant tree limb fall onto the GMC Yukon in front of me, completely smashing the passenger side of the car. Here’s what a commenter on the local newspaper story had to say:

I was talking with my wife on the phone this afternoon when she let out a yell and said that a tree limb had fallen on an SUV traveling in the opposite direction of her. She mentioned that whoever was driving in the black cabriolet behind the SUV was lucky because a couple seconds later and it would have fallen on her.

Do you know what I drive? Need a hint?

Anyway, the whole thing made me glad that I had told Pete how much I loved him in our last telephone conversation, most of all. But also thankful for about a million other little things.

I also had a revelation: you never know what’s going to happen next. I’m thankful for everything I have, and can’t wander around afraid of what might happen while I’m just living my life. Keep on marching, right? I’m trying to pick my battles wisely. I’m going to choose to be grateful and thankful for every good thing that happens. In moderation, of course.

(And yes, the top was down.)