Today is the luckiest day of the century apparently. Elavated to such a status by the number “seven’s” international reputation as a lucky number. It is significant in the Bible (the world was created in seven days), prominent with the Hindu and Muslim faiths, in the Torah and in the Japanese Shinto religion. Not to mention the Seven Deadly Sins, Seven sacrements and Virtues or it’s gambling connotations with Lucky 7′s slot machines. Then there’s Seventh Heaven, the Seven Dwarfs, the Seven Wonders of the World, the seven ages of man, the seventh son of the seventh son (I know someone who is and that is considered hugely lucky, especially in Ireland) and the seven year itch (lucky for some).
Two years ago was not a lucky day by any means for London with the bombings, but today that memory seems to be dim and distant as a record number of people got married both in London and around the rest of the world.
My son is blissfully unaware of the commotion – he doesn’t care that his 7th birthday happens to fall on such an auspicious day – it is always the best day for him on the calender and today was no exception. He loved his presents, enjoyed his party, ate crap and went out for a family meal where again, he had no idea how difficult it was for both his parents to put on a united front and pretend to be a family. “So what was your the best thing about today?” I asked him as he was drifting off to sleep, “everything”, he said. “Well everything except getting hit round the head with the Nintendo Wii by my sister”. He’s got a huge bruise and was really upset. Inevitable though. It’s only a matter of time before a console gets thrown through the television. Various fights between the kids occurred owing to his new status as proud owner of latest cool gadget in the house. My daughter wanted to try out the boxing game, but he wanted to play tennis. It really is the most ludicrous invention. I had a go. I was crap. But then I really don’t get it. Best quote of the day was by my daughter who said “it’s not fair, I really want to try out the boxing, what’s wrong with him, he’s so selfish, he really thinks today is all about him and it’s so not”. Well, if you don’t get to be selfish on your birthday, you haven’t got a hope.
I myself am planning to do something big on 08/08/08 – much more lucky if you live in China.
