7

The number 7 represents a lot of things. As with most numbers they carry little individual significance on their own. Significance is gained by association.

The number 7 has gained many associations over time.

There are 7 days in a week.
There are 7 swans a swimming.
There are 7 players on an ultimate frisbee team.
You get 7 years of bad luck if you break a mirror.
There are 7 food groups in the food pyramid.
There are 7 wonders of the ancient world.
There are 7 continents.
There are 7 colors in a rainbow.
There are 7 deadly sins.
7 is the number most likely to come up when two 6-sided dice are rolled.
There are 7 Harry Potter books.

And so on…

Today the number 7 takes on a new association.

Today is December 7th, 2012.

Some people might say that today is the 7 year anniversary. I don’t like calling it an anniversary. I’m no quite sure why not, maybe I just don’t like labels. Or maybe because I just don’t know what significance this day holds as it passes each year.

My aunt couldn’t believe it had been 7 years.

I don’t think I really understand how time factors into this process. It’s funny that I too find it difficult to fathom that 7 years have passed. But at the same time my life feels completely different now than it was then. I can’t really remember what it was like it or how I felt, except that I was very confused.

7 years can feel like a lifetime away. 7 years was a lifetime away.

7 years ago today my father died after living with ALS commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He died in northern Ohio with his family around him. Sitting in silence, crying, holding his hands, hugging his body and watching him slowly stop breathing.

My body shaking and my vision blurred by tears I told him I loved him.

Today is December 7th, 2012. It has been 7 years and some things still haven’t changed.

Dad I love you.