I am not a superstition person. I do not believe in all those tales about black cats. How can you avoid a black cat traversing your path if you own the animal? I avoid going under ladders not because of bad luck but it is common sense to avoid an accident. Ladders are not very stable structures
Have you heard about men or women who have birthmarks along tear passage? “Huwag kang magaasawa ng may nunal sa tuluan ng luha. Madaling mabalo ang mga iyan.” I have seen several such people who have lived happily to old age with their better halves.
There were dozens and .dozens of superstitions that my grandmother used to repeat but have never influenced me, the most common is about the number thirteen. Do not plan on a long trip on the thirteenth of the month. Do not buy a house that is numbered 13. Do you know why that family has a lot of tragedies in their lives? There are 13 children in that house!
Here in Toronto, many tall buildings do not have a thirteenth floor; builders do not want to risk a floor not being used. Tenants would usually avoid the thirteenth floor.
Have you noticed that media often take note to remind the public about Friday, the 13th? There is no need to explain what it signals; everybody knows what is intimated.
This is the 13th year of this century. I have not given this fact a thought until recently. Remember: I am not superstitious! It is just that Mother Nature appears extra furious this year. How many tornadoes have wrecked havoc this year? When I see the destruction wrought in some towns and cities and the number of people that perished in each of those catastrophes, I start to wonder: Is it because of the 13th?
The 13th year of the century has also not been good for Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Who would have imagined that two well-known and highly respected journalists who were appointed to the Senate would bring the scandal that is leaving a black mark on the Prime Minister’s position?
U.S. President Barack Obama is also not having a good year.
There is that problem of that whistle blower who sought refuge in Russia, the American public’s government distrust on how national security is handled the immigration reform bill that did not pass in the House of Representatives and the slow growth in U.S,. Economy.
Neither has this been a good time for Mayor Rob Ford. Disaster after disaster has piled on his way. First, there was that instance of his almost losing his job due to an act of conflict of interest. He hurdled that case. Then there was the allegation that he had used crack cocaine with some questionable characters in the community.
That scandal died down. And then there was an allegation of some sexual touching of a former candidate for mayor. That, too, went away. The most recent was his behaviour at the celebration of the Taste of the Danforth wherein some people observed him slurring in his speech after a few drinks. This, too, I believe, will pass away. I hope he survives the 13th year of the century.
This situation in the Middle East has apparently worsened with the temporary closing of American Embassies and Consulates. People in Egypt are again in rebellion. The civil war in Syria has not abated. The talks between Israel and Palestine seemed to be doomed with Israel continuing construction in settlements that Palestinians have put claim. The Al Qaeda seems to be gaining strength again in some parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq. All these in the 13th year of the century.
But let us look at the bright side; I thought it was a bad start for the 13th year of the century when Pope Benedict XVI resigned. This was a very rare occasion in the history of the Catholic Church; a crisis. But the occasion ended well! The scandals in the church seemed to have died down with the election of a new Pope. Praise be to God!
There are four more months left. I cannot wait for the year to be over. Every time I look at the papers or the television, there is that dread for another disaster. Only this morning, I heard that the worst typhoon in history hit the northern parts of the Philippines. The tornado season is not over.
May the 13th year of the century be kinder to all of us in the next four months.*****