Be grateful for calm skies.
“Forever is composed of nows.” ~ Emily Dickinson
There are many days to celebrate in March. Birthdays of family and friends, St. Patrick’s Day, the first day of Spring, and depending on our country of residence, some of us celebrate Mother’s Day this month, while others celebrate in May.
Regardless of where we live, we all should celebrate March 23rd. BIG TIME, with grateful hearts, and champagne toasts made in joy. March 23rd is “NEAR MISS DAY.”
On March 23, 1989, a mountain-sized asteroid passed through the exact position of the earth six hours earlier. Had it collided, it would have released energy comparable to the explosion of a 600 megaton atom bomb and caused the largest explosion in recorded history.
But it didn’t. “Near Miss Day” acknowledges and celebrates exactly that, a near miss.
We all know of many “near misses” in our lives and the lives of those we love. Every day is precious. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year,” and my favorite appreciation for each day is by A.A. Milne, creator of Winnie-the-Pooh. “What day is it?” ~ “It’s today,” squeaked Piglet. ~ “My favorite day,” said Pooh.
This Monday, March 23rd, and every day, may we be grateful for the near misses in our lives, and doubly aware of and grateful for the many blessings we receive. Take nothing for granted.
“Winnipeg”–or Winnie–the female black bear that lived in London Zoo from 1915-1954 and inspired Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh, here with veterinarian Harry Colebourn.
Maya Angelou: “Be present in all things and thankful for all things.”
March is also “Deaf History Month” — here is the chart for American Sign Language.
Things I Want To Tell My Mother 
I’m very much in favor of Near Miss Day! I assume everyday is Near Miss Day and live my life accordingly. It’s also my dad’s birthday so I may head up to Oregon. How is your mother doing?
What a great day to have for a birthday, Julia! Happy birthday to your dad.
My mom is holding her own, and with the weather getting warmer, during my next visit I hope to bundle her up and take her for a walk in her wheel chair.
I really don’t remember this and wonder if it was kept quite quiet at the time, that’s if they knew it was heading for us at all. I’d say today is a good day to celebrate it though.
I hope you’re well and your mother is doing fine.
xxx Massive Hugs xxx
Actually, David, I don’t think it was confirmed how close it came to being a disaster for five days or so after the “new miss.” But it was a big deal once they did confirm it because it was such a close call back in 1989. I think it’s a great reminder every March 23rd to remember.
Mom is doing pretty well. Thanks for asking, and also for the Massive Hugs! 🙂
This post should solicit commentary, everyone has a ‘near miss’, difficult not to in this crazy thing we call life.
For myself, I tend to forget the near misses. Missing by a fraction or missing by a mile is still denying meridians from intersecting (that is if you believe everything has reason and purpose); a miss is a miss. What weighs on me the most are the moments of facing the abyss and I have had a couple. It is those fine lines where we teeter, fully aware we have absolute no control over the out come. Scared beyond description when it is happening, yet at the same, astonished at our own bravery despite being aware of and acknowledging the out come could be dire. In the end, sometime it is just luck, that one is able to side step ‘fate’.
Eloquent description, Calvin. A miss is a miss, but for me some things that were close calls were hugely significant and therefore very memorable. But in the real scheme of things, an asteroid or ebola or stepping off a curb as a texting driver swerves…it’s all a serious outcome.
I do know what you mean. Those significant ‘near misses’, though a miss, they still make a direct hit on how we navigate from then onward. Makes you wonder, doesn’t it.
It does make me wonder, Calvin, and feel stronger later, and grateful.
One of my near misses will stay in my memory forever. Many years ago, a speeding car ran a stop sign and came within a second to wipe out my brother, his wife and child, myself and my husband. My poor parents would have lost their children. An old friend of mine was not that lucky, she lost her 19 year old daughter in a car accident three weeks ago. Your are right Marylin, we should take nothing for granted.
Oh, Gerlinde, what your poor parents would have endured. That is a “near miss” of staggering concern.
I feel especially sad for your friend who lost her daughter in a car accident. Life can be so dangerous and hard, and losing a child is a heartbreaker of huge proportions. There are no guarantees.
A year ago, during our Spring Break, I had that car collision which totaled my car. The steering wheel could have crushed my chest, but I came out with only a bad bruise. Yes, I do think about each day being one to live well.
Love the photo of Winnie.
I remember when that happened, and how the worst that could have happened did not happen. You definitely had angels working overtime for you Darla, for which I am very grateful.
I love that picture, too, and see why Milne used it as an inspiration.
All quotes so a propos – the thread that runs so true through all of them is an attitude of gratitude which (you!) and I try to practice every day. Sometimes I see a bad crash on the highway and think if I left a minute sooner, I may have been in the accident. Guardian angels too have to be working overtime to take care of two of our grands, now approaching the teen years.
We do try to practice that attitude each day, Marian, and the closer our grandchildren get to the teen years, the harder we’ll be trying. 🙂
It took 5 days after the “near miss” for us to learn how close we’d been to such devastation. It makes me wonder how many other “near miss” dangers happen that we never realize. So, like Pooh, we’ll just make Today our favorite day.
And yesterday was the day we ought to have seen the solar eclipse. Sadly our part of the UK was swathed in thick cloud and we missed it. Ah well, only have to wait now till 2090 for the next one …
Drat the thick cloud, Jenny! But now you have something to look forward to in 75 years. 😉
A glimpse of the Elysian Fields in that photo 🙂
My Greek mythology tells me that this could be interpreted as a final resting place of the dead. And if the asteroid had arrived only 6 hours earlier, it might have created a HUGE Elysian Fields.
On March 23 I’ll be gratefully celebrating those 6 hours that changed everything. 🙂
I’ll definitely celebrate “Near Miss Day.” I had my own near miss, on the highway, many years ago. It forever changed me.
I hope your mother is doing well, Marylin.
She’s holding her own, Jill, thank you.
We had a rollover accident more than 20 years ago, and there are still nights I dream of the rolling. You’re right, it does change us.
I feel very much like Piglet. 🙂
If you mean asking what day it is, then I’m definitely like Piglet, too. More and more, I stop and double check the date and time. Mostly, though, I feel like Pooh and like to think that today is my favorite day…regardless of what day it is. 🙂
Mostly needing to ask what day it is but I also try (not always successfully) to make each day a favourite one.
I’m still smiling at the flower pictures on your blog, Gallivanta–especially the buckwheat blooms–and the smiles from that post made yesterday one of my favorite days! 🙂
Hi Marylin, I love how you teach me holidays I was never aware of! How could I have not known about Near Miss day? You are right, every day should be a Favorite Day. I love Piglet and Pooh and their take on life (my kids watched lots of Pooh). One of my favorite songs I sing to myself to this day is “I’m Just Alittle Black Rain Cloud Of Course.” I had to watch it just now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NitBpJaom5k
Thank you, xo Joanne
How did I miss that one, Joanne? What a darling duet between Christopher and Pooh. 🙂 Thanks for sharing it.
Today on my walk I thought about the “near miss” on this date, as well as all the near misses we never realize, and I was again grateful for all we’ve been blessed with.
great post, and you are so right.. that was a very close near miss, and we should all rejoice each year.
I loved your recent post, Lisa, and the artist’s eye of putting together so many different objects and vegetables, etc. It reminded me to look at new combinations that create new beauty…and make the most of today.
An attitude of gratitude is so important! I didn´t know about the near miss either. There are probably many we don´t know about and just as well. Hugs to you and yours. XO
Thanks, Darlene. Like you, I think it’s probably just as well that we don’t know how many “near misses” there are. Hugs to you and yours, and your darling Smart Car! You seem to be having a great time in Spain.
Love learning about “near miss” day. If only we knew of all the ways God protects us we would be grateful people indeed!
March 23 is just one reminder that we are often protected when we don’t even realize we need protecting. “Near Miss Day” is a quite a reminder, isn’t it?
I think Pooh and Piglet were correct….what a great day today is.
We agree, Elizabeth. Today is always a day to appreciate and enjoy!
My favorite day as well …
We both agree with Pooh’s appreciation of today! 😉
A bear of little brain and very big heart!
A good combination for a children’s story, and for all of us!
Learning gratitude from near misses and to cherish today – great lessons Marylin. And if I can add, today and each day to cherish our loved-ones and remember to let them know.
Thanks, Rod. And you’re right; in addition to appreciating each day, we need to do the same for our loved ones…and let them know.
Interesting post, thank you for sharing this information.
You’re very welcome, Francina.
Marylin, I just read about another special day in March. In Italy, tradition has it that on the 8th March, you give the ladies in your life a bunch of mimosa to celebrate La Festa Delle Donne (Ladies’ Day).
What we need now, Gerlinde, is an Italian to give us bouquets of mimosas
…and think that today is March 8! Drat! We missed our chance…maybe next March 8th. But I love learning of “special” days in other countries, so thanks for sharing this. 🙂
In 1989, I must have been too busy keeping on eye on our teen-age girls because I missed the near-miss collision. Thank heavens! Marilyn, you’ve given me something to smile about AND be grateful for. 😉
I’m so glad, Judy. I didn’t know about it at the time, either, and I read that the news kept it from us for five days after the threat was over. Which is just as well, except that an annual day of gratitude on March 23 isn’t a bad idea to remind us to appreciate every day.
Loving and living each day is a good mantra. March 23rd is my birthday and to think I could have arrived the 22nd or 24th is unthinkable. 🙂 I will now look at this date differently and with more gratitude. However, I’m just pleased to be part of a wonderful family any day. I know your mom could use a good dose of sunshine and I hope you can get her out soon.
Happy Birthday, Lynn! Share your cake with your wonderful family, and be oh-so-glad that you were born on this day…not a near miss, but a perfect score! 🙂
Marylin, it is so important to appreciate the “near misses”. Thanks for enlightening me about “Near Miss Day” tomorrow. 🙂
You’re welcome, Tracy. And if you enjoyed today to the fullest, you’ve made it a Big Hit instead of a Near Miss!
Yep, I too have a “close-call” I could tell about, but your picture of the sign-language chart makes me want to talk about our dog Maggie, a collie-mix, instead. She is your cuddle-bunny and my trail-buddy. She will be 14 years-old in June. She has lost most of her hearing during the past year. But she is amazing. She is a quick learner and she is making adjustments. Instead of our usual verbal communication, she is learning to read hand and arm gestures. She is still eager to head out on mountain hikes with me.
She will always be an off-leash hiking buddy, so there is added risk now. She can no longer hear me call her if we lose sight of each other. She understands that. So now of her own accord, she keeps me in sight and watches for any gestures. The gesture I love most is how she distinguishes two different ‘come’ commands while we are in the forest. When I tap my knees with palms inward, she knows I want her to quit exploring off-trail and continue on down the trial with me. I can start walking and know she will soon join me. However, when I bend at the knees and hold my palms open to her, she knows I need her to come directly to me NOW, and she does. Yes, Marylin, we are so ‘grateful’ to have had the companionship of our Maggie for so many years. Her body language tells me she plans to keep up with us for considerable time forward.
And to think that when our son-in-law found her abandoned all those years ago, she didn’t know how to let anyone pet her, and the long drive between Kansas and Colorado was horrendously long because she’d never ridden in a car! But I’m not surprised that she’s adjusting to deafness by learning to stay close by on you during hikes and also respond to hand gestures. You’ve always been so patient and good with her.
She’s definitely a great dog, and you’re her wonderful “dad.” 🙂
I didn’t know about “near miss day”, Marilyn. Thank you for sharing. I agree that we shouldn’t take anything for granted. Each day, each moment we receive is a blessing. I’m grateful for the gifts of the near misses.
Have wonderful week!
Thanks, Elaine. I’m sure there are so many near misses we never realize, but I think making a special day of March 23 was a good way to remind us in general that every day is a gift and a blessing.
I hope your week is wonderful, too.
There have been so many near misses in my life, that I suppose I could plan a whole year of them; which brings us back to Pooh’s house. Let’s celebrate the day!
Absolutely, Renee. And as a friend said in an email to me, for every near miss we survive, catching our breath and thinking Whew! That was closer, there are probably a dozen more near misses that we don’t even realize we escaped.
Carpe diem!
Our guardian angels are busy, busy!
How true and how beautiful! I only found Winnie-the-Pooh through my daughter’s childhood but I too fell in love with the same ‘today’ quote … make each ‘today’ into your favourite day really is the only way to live since ‘today’ is all we really have.
Thank you, Daniela. It’s so good to hear from you!
Like Pooh, I try to see today as my favorite day ~ my dad used to say that every day is the best day, too.
Your dad was a wise man indeed!
He was, Daniela. I still miss him…or at least the person he was before the Alzheimer’s took over. The last few years were very sad, when he wasn’t sure if it was day or night–and before the Alzheimer’s he’d enjoyed every day to the fullest.
Oh Marylin, another utterly inspiring post that warms my heart and spirit. I do vaguely remember that asteroid but reading your post I am gulping at the thought of it and what could have happened… I will definitely be remembering ‘Near Miss Day’ from now on! Love all your quotes and photos, especially the one of the cute bear that inspired my favourite bear Winnie The Pooh. His wisdom resonates today, as does yours. Thank you dear Marylin 🙂
And thank you, sweet Sherri. You know, I don’t remember the near miss either, but I’m glad they made a special day of remembering it…which reminds us that there are so many near misses in life, and we need to appreciate every day.
This was a great post, Marylin. It informed me of the Near Miss and wish I had heard of it before. I have enjoyed Winnie the Pooh for many years now but had only seen the soldier and his real bear once before. This is always amusing to me, how children like the matter of fact way A.A. Milnes wrote his characters choice of speech. It sounds like a kid, “Today is my favorite day.” So sweet. I missed including several special days in my March calendar… smiles!
Yes! Near Miss Day is a great day! Thanks for the reminder. I love Maya Angelou’s quote! So true. I just put it somewhere close to me. And march birthdays are just great. Nothing to argue with that 😉
And I love the picture of Winipeg, the “real” inspiration of Milne’s Winnie, with the veterinarian. There are so many great lines from Winnie The Pooh, but “Today is my favorite day” is at the top of my list of favorites, Robin. Sometimes it’s important to think and react like children again, don’t you think? 🙂
Is your birthday in March, Ilka? My daughter’s is, and she has it down to an art form to make the fun last ALL month!
Also, Ilka, thank you for the amazing post about rainbows. You made it so much fun. I tried to comment on your blog, but it didn’t go through.
That’s a great idea of your daughter. What a fantastic way to celebrate. Congratulations to her. Yes; my birthday is March as well 😉
Marylin, the comment on the rainbow post is showing 🙂
I would be most foolish to argue the wisdom of Pooh! 😉
“Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift. That is why we call it the present.” – Alice Morse Earle
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