By Joe Wabe
I sat back in my chair and let my gaze wander to the beige wall behind my computer screen. For some unknown reason, I found myself staring at the blank wall behind my computer screen, mesmerized by its emptiness. The paint was chipped in some areas, revealing a dull grey layer underneath. A small spider scurried across one corner, weaving its web as if it were the most important task in the world.
It was the first time I had truly noticed how dull and lifeless it appeared. Countless hours had been spent working in front of that monitor, yet I never considered the lonely void on the wall. Suddenly, I felt compelled to fill it with something- perhaps out of boredom or a sense of dread at its starkness. I grabbed my jacket with a sense of urgency and left the house, bound for the nearest discount store to find a picture.
Without hesitation, I made my way to the second floor as soon as the automatic door slid open. I had a specific destination in mind: the living room decor section. Despite being tempted by the clearance aisle, I knew better than to get sidetracked and end up with unnecessary purchases. I was on a mission.
As I scrolled through the framed pictures, one design stood out to me: a purple background with an orange circle and a bold yellow number 7. Its simplicity and use of only three colors caught my eye. The symmetry of the design was visually appealing, and the font choice added to its overall impact. At only $10, I had a feeling this straightforward design was a winner.
I proudly turned around, embracing the frame as though it was a Monet masterpiece, when I accidentally bumped into an old man who had been standing behind me the entire time. It appeared as though he had also been admiring the same frame.
"A few minutes, too late," he said in a gentle, raspy tone.
I gave a polite smile, understanding that the man was referring to the picture. “I’m so, so sorry...” I said quickly, wanting to convey my sincerity and not come across as unfriendly, especially since the man had a kind demeanor.
"Do you happen to be a fan of the number 7 my friend?" he asked, a twinkle in his eye.
I found it a bit suspicious that a stranger wandering the discount store was calling me “friend”. Scientologist? Jehovah’s Witness? A mystery shopper?
An awkward chuckle escaped me as I grabbed onto the frame's protective cardboard,
unsure of how to reply."I can't say it's ever been my favorite number, but something about this design just caught my attention."
The old man nodded thoughtfully. "Funny how certain things can draw us in with no logical explanation."
After a brief pause, his right hand lifted and started drawing an invisible number seven in the air with his finger. The old man's index was bony and creased, showing veins and freckles. It moved gracefully and with poise, despite its aged appearance. A twinkle of mischief shone in his eyes as he traced the shape with a playful flourish before speaking:
"It's interesting how the number 7 holds meaning in many cultures and beliefs. Some see it as a symbol of luck, while others connect it to perfection or wholeness. Perhaps this picture will bring you more than just aesthetic pleasure."
The way he spoke was as if I had stepped into an episode of The Twilight Zone, and I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in curiosity.
#
Sitting at the coffee shop across from the store, Mr. Kim and I each had our chosen drinks - an Americano for me and an espresso for him. His small cup was filled with a dark liquid, topped with a layer of crema, and he held it to his lips with steady precision as he continued his story. The smell of freshly roasted coffee beans filled the air, mingling with the strong aroma wafting up from his cup.
He told me that he was born in Seoul on July 7th, 1957, and how he and his wife raised seven daughters and seven cats together. As Mr. Kim shared memories from his life in Korea, I found myself enchanted by his masterful storytelling.
"Seven cats and seven daughters. That must have been quite the handful," I remarked, taking a sip of my Americano.
"Definitely! Our household was always chaotic, but full of joy. In the old days in Korea, having seven daughters was unlucky, almost like a curse." His joke brought a nostalgic glimmer to his eye. "Each of my daughters had their own distinct personalities, just like my mischievous feline companions." Mr. Kim let out a soft chuckle, placing his espresso cup back on the saucer with a pensive expression.
He revealed to me he had also spotted the picture before I did, and despite feeling the urge to grab it first, something inside of him prompted him to wander around the store first. He intended to retrieve the photo after he finished his shopping, but he was glad that I beat him to it.
"It’s like the universe had conspired in our favor," he mused; a wistful smile playing on his lips.
“Why is that?” I asked.
“If not for the photo, we wouldn't be sitting here enjoying this beautiful afternoon and sipping on this delicious coffee while I tell you my story. Wouldn’t we?”
#
To Mr. Kim, the number seven was more than just a numerical value; it held a special significance in his life. He believed that there was a deep connection between the two, beyond what he could even imagine. According to him, there were countless stories in his life involving the number seven, but one of the most incredible happened while he was driving on the highway.
On a sunny day, as he drove with the glass rolled down and enjoying a cigarette, a hat suddenly flew out of nowhere into the open window, knocking his cigarette out in a flurry of sparks before coming to rest snugly on his head. Shocked, he pulled over to examine the hat and discovered it was a green trucker's cap with the 7-UP logo on it. It had been two decades since that day, twenty years since he had given up smoking.
"Wow, what are the odds of this happening?" I pondered.
Mr. Kim continued:
“Seven, an intriguing number that is both odd and even, carries a unique significance. It possesses the ability to bring closure and leave a lasting impression. When thoughts turn to numbers, they often come in sets of seven; it just seems easier to recall. When people are prompted to pick a number between one and ten, seven is frequently the chosen one. Perhaps this explains why we have seven days of the week, seven dwarfs, and seven wonders of the world. Curiously enough, the human head also has seven external openings: two eyes, two nostrils, one mouth, and two ears.
“In various religions and customs, the number seven holds great importance. The seventh day in Judaism is when God rested and blessed it. In Christianity, there are seven deadly sins: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. In Islam, it is believed there are seven heavens. Even in music theory, there are seven notes on the classical Western major scale. Undoubtedly, the number seven wields a profound influence in our world.”
I couldn't help but be captivated by Mr. Kim's fascination with this number and asked if there might be a deeper meaning behind these occurrences. Mr. Kim chuckled softly before replying, "Some may see it as mere coincidence, or perhaps as a sign from the universe. Personally, I view the number seven as a reminder of how everything is interconnected in this world - symbolizing balance and harmony throughout history and culture."
#
The following morning, my phone rudely woke me from my slumber with its obnoxious blaring. Still groggy, I glanced at the screen and was reminded that I had set my alarm for 7 am. The fortunate number was making another appearance in my life, once again.
After grabbing some coffee, I headed to my computer room and sat down in my comfortable desk chair. As I took a moment to gather my thoughts, I stared at the blank wall in front of me. The wall was still bare; the vibrant yellow number 7 on a purple background didn’t make it home. In the end, I gave it to Mr. Kim as a thank-you for his endless stories and the coffee.
Numbers never held much importance in my life until I witnessed Mr. Kim's eyes light up with youthful excitement while discussing the significance of the number seven. The conversation made me realize that we have the ability to give meaning and importance to even the most ordinary things and ideas, whether it be a simple number or an unassuming wall.
The wall no longer felt empty; it now held meaning and stories within its chipped paint occupied by a spider. Every time I look at it, vivid images flash through my mind like a movie reel. A traditional Korean house with seven playful girls, surrounded by a flurry of cats, their laughter filling the air. A younger Mr. Kim driving around town in his 7-Up hat perched atop his head, eagerly sharing its story with anyone who would listen. And me, sitting across from him at a cozy cafe, sipping on a steaming Americano.
Ever since that day, I have dedicated myself to embracing the power and serendipity of the number seven. Every time I come across a seven, whether it's on a clock or in a string of numbers, I treat it as a hidden key to unlock the mysteries of my life.
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