42 Is A Special Number

I decided to write a blog about the number "42" since today is my 42nd wedding anniversary.  When I think of that number there are three things that come to mind: One is #42 which is Jackie Robinson's number. He broke the color barrier in baseball and was a great player also. The last baseball player to wear that number before it was retired, was Mariano Rivera, the Yankees incredible closer who is the only unanimous selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame.(back of his jersey below)

The third "42" was the last number in a group of numbers that were highlighted in my favorite television show, "Lost".  It was about a crashed plane with 42 rows of seats in addition to numerous other "42" references.  I did not realize that there are many special "42" numbers that exist. Here are a few that I found interesting:

1. A marathon is 42 kilometers long.

2. A barrel of oil has 42 gallons in it.

3. There are 42 dots on one pair of dice.

4. The famous Gutenberg bible had only 42 lines.

5. There are 42 laws in Cricket.

6. There are 42 territories in the game of Risk.

7. Elvis died at the age of 42.

8. The "Birdman of Alcatraz", Robert Stroud, was imprisoned on Alcatraz in 1942 and his cell number was 42. After killing a prison guard he spent 42 years in solitary confinement.

9. Queen Victoria's husband Prince Albert, died at the age of 42 and he had 42 grandchildren.

Finally, it was forty-two years ago today, August 28th, 1983, that I made the best decision of my life. I said, "I do," and I would say "I do" today to my wife, Monika.  She has given me three amazing kids and lots of love and has made me endless amounts of chicken.  

She still makes me laugh and we have had a lifetime of good times together.  I'm looking forward to spending today with her and eventually we will figure out what we are going to do.  I do know we will be eating out and having a great steak dinner tonight.

Below is a picture of us dancing at the wedding of our third child in May.  Love you princess!