Go Go Graduation
Superstitions are a funny thing. They make us feel as if we are in control of something in our uncontrollable lives. I am a bit more superstitious than I care to admit. I never touch the chalk lines on a baseball field. I always start on the upper right when brushing my teeth. I have the same insane fear of black cats and broken ladders that most people have. I have even worn underwear longer than hygienically proper during a Penguins winning streak. But I have never had a problem with what most folks see as a bugaboo in America: the number thirteen.
When I was in school playing sports, I always asked for thirteen. I loved it and truly felt it to be lucky. Every hit and lucky bounce, every goal I scored, every game I won was due (I felt) to the number on my uniform. I never understood the buildings without a 13th floor. (Of course every building has one, they just call it 14) The number 13 has always been lucky for me. I was born on the 31st, which is 13 backwards (a reach, I know, but work with me!) When I graduated high school and college, my cap and gown were size 13. My graduation stoles were 13 inches wide. My first apartment was number 213, and the address of my house is 1013. In fact, it has taken me exactly 13 minutes to write this article. I just finished my 13th year of teaching US History and I have coached 13 football players that went on to 13 different colleges and received 13 free college degrees. My youngest son was born on the 13th of September. I also met my wife on the 13th of July, 1994. Thirteen, as the great Garrett Morris said, “been very, very good, to me”.
My life has been like a movie. I think my life has been the exact opposite of the movie Apollo 13. In the film, astronauts on their way to the moon encounter one problem after another. Their lives hang in the balance and a dedicated team at mission control overcomes all of these obstacles to bring these men home safely. OK, never mind. My life is not the opposite of this film. It is the same. I have a dedicated family helping me to overcome all of my obstacles. I am blessed 13 times over!
I recently celebrated my 13th anniversary. 13 amazing years of love, friendship, adventure with an amazing woman. Thirteen years of partnership. Thirteen moves, 13 cars, 13 jobs. 13 thousand diapers, 13 ear infections. Thirteen joyous years together, with 4 times 13 more ahead. I love the number 13. Thank you for making me the luckiest man on Earth. Knock wood 13 times with your right hand, while clutching a lucky coin. Under a ladder. Looking into a broken mirror.

