A double-shot of chai

This is the third time in a row that Lisa and I have managed not to be with each other on our birthday. Last year, I was at Sundance. This past August, Lisa was in China. And this year she's there again. I miss her, and reading her type "Happy Birthday" on instant messenger just isn't the same as hearing her say it.

Still, I got some nice birthday wishes and one great birthday dinner. And then I got this email:

Have a shot of double-chai

No, I don't mean the drink... The word chai in Hebrew (the ch is that un-English sounding throat-clearer you identify with elderly Jews) means life. Each of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet has a numeric value assigned to it, and the letters that spell chai equal the value of 18. So, in Jewish life the number 18 is something of a lucky number -- as are its multiples.

I see a big parallel for you as you hit the big double-chai today. You're about to bring another life into your family. So, with all the birthday wishes I'd give you in the typical year, this year there's an extra set. Which comes in handy for Sophie.

I wouldn't have imagined it, but I was really moved by this bit of Jewish numerology. It is going to be a great year, and no better way to start it than a double-shot of chai. Cheers, Richard.