The Start of 52

My dear friend and community sage, Brian Sullivan, is fond of a numerical coincidence that he insists is not a coincidence. We’ve yet to have a party or poker game (where beer is drunk) that Brian does not introduce his favorite numerical oddity with 14 words…

24 beers in a case.
24 hours in a day.
I think not.

It may or may not be a coincidence; it is more likely left over from his undergrad days at Bridgewater State University. However, it’s a great lead-in to introduce my favorite number and how it earned its place: 52.

As long as I can remember, I’ve been intrigued by the number “52.” Clay Matthews’ jersey number (I have one), B-52’s (the bomber, not the band), the number of white keys on the piano and, as is most commonly known, the atomic number of Tellurium, Te.

If you count both majuscules (capital letters) and minuscules (lower-case letters) the English language actually has 52 letters. In 2006, DC Comics introduced a comic book series titled “52” and published one issue a week for a year. If you want to call Mexico, the international code is 52. U.S. Route 52 runs north to south from North Dakota to South Carolina. I’ve driven this road and parts of it are beautiful.

And of course, Psalm 52;

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
Why do you boast all day long,
You who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?

But for me, the real joy of 52 can be found in the fact that there are 52 weeks in a year and 52 cards in a deck. Long ago, I found a way to make that fortuitous coincidence a daily (or weekly) part of my life and it has served me well. So, next week, I’ll share my secret, how it’s made a difference in my life and others’, and how it may very well make a difference in yours. So, come on back next week, have a brand new deck of cards with you when you do, and let’s make a little magic.