“Men desperately want
and need the approval
of their father.” 
Kevin Carroll 
A Moment’s Pause
for Gratitude
p. 146

It happened again tonight. I wasn’t surprised by it at all, since it has happened just about every day for the past sixteen years, and, most often, multiple times each day. I opened my computer this evening and was greeted with the time: 7:43.

Throughout each day, I happen to look at digital clocks — at home, in my car, on a train platform, on my cell phone,… — at precisely 43 minutes after the hour. When I wake up during the night, the clock on my nightstand indicates that it’s 43 minutes after the hour more often than I can explain. It’s uncanny how often this happens. And it’s not just clocks. Kathy and I had dinner at a restaurant in Pacific Grove a few years ago. When we got the bill, the amount due was $43.43. At the local gas station, I was pumping gas when my attention was drawn to the brightly illuminated sign indicating the value of the upcoming California Lottery draw. Yes, it was $43M.

One day, about a year ago, my good friend Dan and I were walking down Laurel Street in downtown San Carlos. I had no idea what time it was at the moment, but I was telling Dan about this phenomenon. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my cell phone. Dan and I were both taken aback. It was 12:43.

Even driving around town, it’s incredible how often the last two digits of the license plate on the car in front of me ends in 43. I was watching a college basketball game on TV a few months ago. The score at halftime was 43-43. How can this keep happening? Why is this happening?

I’ve heard people speak of “angel numbers.” I can’t say that I put much credence into their claims, but I read online that the number 43 is “a message of love, peace, stability, and security.” I’m okay with this, I guess, but… angel numbers?

On the website medium.com, I read that “if you see 43 everywhere, you are guided by your spirit guides to be creative with everything.” Again, I’m okay with this, but… spirit guides?

The website astrology.com claims that “43 is a powerful combination of energies from numbers 4 and 3. The number 4 resonates with stability, practicality, and hard work, while the number 3 signifies creativity, self-expression, and joy. Together, the number 43 represents a harmonious balance between your practical and creative sides.” I like this one.

My favorite explanation, however, was found on the website numerologynation.com. This site, too, speaks of angel numbers. They write, “Angel number 43 is sent by the angels so that you develop a sense of confidence in all your decisions and learn to work even harder in life because hard work pays off. The angel number 43 meaning is, therefore, success in every aspect of your life.” 

All this is well and good, but the number 43 has a particularly special meaning to me. It was my father’s favorite number. He graduated from Saint Ignatius High School in San Francisco in the Class of ’43. During the many years that his alma mater had an annual raffle for which only 200 tickets were sold, Dad always purchased ticket #43. (He never won the raffle.) And when he was appointed to the position of Battalion Chief in the San Francisco Fire Department, his badge number was #43.

I have no recollection of noticing the number 43 around me so often prior to Dad’s death in 2008. Since then, however, it’s been pretty much an everyday thing. I take this to mean he’s still with me, and that he approves of what I’m doing with my life. This is something for which I am genuinely grateful.