Did you ever have “Rain Man Moments,” and certain numbers are locked in your brain? Sure, there are birthdates and dates of family passings, and even your parents encouraged you to memorize your Social Security number, but there are other numbers that are still significant – or even sentimental. So, in no particular order, here are some examples:
7-3943 – my home phone number during my childhood. That’s it, although eventually the prefix “NE” was added, and it became 637-3943. This is not to be confused with “867-5309” (that’s Jenny’s number!)
125 1/2 – the street number to my college apartment in Oswego. It wasn’t half a house, just a walk-up flat. Does the U.S. Post Office even allow this half-address anymore? I may have to go up there this summer and investigate. I’ll check the front door, and while I’m at it, I’ll visit my favorite breakfast place – Wade’s – with my “Forever” college swim coach, Grace. Road trip! (I’m an excellent driver…)
The Babbitt Brothers take on Vegas in “Rain Man”
12:21 am and 7:32 pm – the times my kids were born. ‘Nuff said, although I know their length and weight too. As a toddler, my son would see 7:32 on the clock and would always utter, “Mama, it’s ‘theven firty two.” Gulp.
“14” – the age our then-precocious 3-year-old daughter told us when we asked what her age was. Wise beyond her years!
59.3 – the first time I “broke a minute” in the 100-yard Freestyle during my high school swimming days. It was kind of a big deal back then, although now – breaking that time is not a big deal at all. It’s quite slow! The Raymond Babbitt in me remembers my fastest times from my college swimming days, but I won’t delve into that.
In the pool, and thinking that K-Mart sucks
48 – this time, it was for “breaking 50” for 9 holes in golf. This is also clear evidence that I’m not a very good golfer.
3-5-9-and 24 (with spotty reception)- the broadcast TV channels we had growing up in Central New York – and it just so happens that I worked at 2 of the 4 stations. Fun fact: as a news producer, I quickly learned that a newscast is only 11 minutes of news (unless you steal time from the weather girl and the sports guys)
25 or 6 to 4 – one of the best songs ever from the band Chicago, and now it’s in my head (“dadadadadah…dadadadadah…dadadadadah…dadadadadadadada…waiting for the break of day…searching for something to say…”) Sorry!
If you have any significant numbers in your life that bring you joy and allow some brief reminiscing, cherish them always. I sure do. Just don’t count cards if you decide to gamble.
Now it’s time to go – one minute to Wapner!
Here comes The Judge!
Sink or Swim 