The Power of 13

The power of the number 13 has long held us in its trance. We gaze in amazement when good things in our life contain the 13th digit, are divisible by 13 or come in groups with so much frequency and clarity that it is hard to ignore the power of 13.

From the early days of our relationship, Josh and I have noticed this number frequently popping up, keenly trying to get our attention. “I am here,” notice me says 13, “I am here to bring joy in your life. I am bringing you a gift”. And as of late this gift has been tremendous.

In order to do this story true justice I really should back up and start at the beginning.

In June we found ourselves at the water’s edge, the bridge to cross was in front of us. The water was vast and the other side was shadowed in mist. Do we cross the bridge into new and unfamiliar territory? Do we go left or perhaps right along the water’s edge? Downstream to settle into a comfortable and perhaps a slightly boring life or upstream to challenge our present circumstances.

We have all been at this exact spot. We have all pondered these same questions. Each situation, each change in our lives we ask ourselves which way we should turn. Many variables come into play each time we find ourselves at the water’s edge. Each time we choose a different path. We have our sound reasons, and for us, this time the power of 13 guided us across the bridge into the mist of the unknown.

This bridge, built on a foundation of 13, meant that Josh’s new job would have him flying the Boeing 767 (7+6=13, 6+7=13, 767/13=59). His last day at EAC (Everts Air Cargo) was 7.6 where he was a flight crewmember for 13 years. When he called Rob, the owner and CEO of EAC, to tell him about this great opportunity Josh was schedule to fly 13 remaining days, and he picked up his last paycheck from EAC on the 13th.

Atlas, his new employer, needed him to make photocopies of his documents as part of the pre-employment check; the copying cost was $7.67. When he received access to the CBT (computer-based training), there were 113 modules to work through, and on the first day of training we knew we had made the right choice to cross that bridge into the mist and fog of the unknown as there were 13 people (including Josh) in class.

Yet this particular story of the power of 13 does not end there as two and a half months later Josh arrived home on the 13th and we enjoyed 13 days together before he headed out on his first flight for Atlas. From Hawaii to Guam, but that is another story for another day.

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