What’s in a date?

Yesterday was Elliot’s second birthday. For that reason alone it was a great day. What's more, it was a day celebrated universally with the opening ceremonies of our great Olympic games. Reflecting “the value of harmony” as indicated by the “One World One Dream” tagline of this year’s games, the day stood for a “bright future” for ALL mankind.

The number eight in general, I have come to discover, is also considered to be very lucky by numerologists, particularly in the Asian cultures. Interestingly enough, many Chinese women elected to induce their babies on this date and many scheduled Caesarean sections…just, well, because 8-8-08 is an exceptionally lucky day.

Elliot was born on 8-8-06. Two years ago, I know, but he has two “8s” in place. That counts for something, I think.

Two years ago, I was not considering myself to be at all lucky. Quite the contrary. But today, I laugh. For the gift that I have been given is not given to many people: perhaps one in 800 or so. There is that charming “8” again. If I had known then what I know now, I would never have second guessed his birthday, albeit two months before “schedule.” God knew what He was doing.

And, He knew what he was doing yesterday too. On a day that the world celebrates diversity of culture in general, I too celebrated Elliot’s diversity.

Ironic?

No.

We did have a beautiful day. A tremendous highlight, of course, was this. God bless my friend, Pam, her dear (and so very talented) husband, Andy, and their beloved kiddos. I cannot begin to tell them just how touched I am by their gesture. Thank you to everyone also, particularly my mom, who made it an even more extraordinary day.

Extraordinary. Across the globe.