In a social media post, I mentioned coincidences in my Paris Marathon 2024 bib number that suggested special approval.

Well, Paris Marathon 2024 actually happened six months to the day after my father’s death. It also happens that six featured much in Daddy’s life. Two of his cars had two sixes in their registration numbers WU6062 and EK6062, and he even got mum into it with EL6062. Then there is his mobile number with three sixes in it. And there’s more…

Daddy lost his father in 1966, and his mum passed in the sixth month of 1980. Also, as the week goes for most people, Saturday is the sixth day – and he passed away on a Saturday. There are more connections between Daddy and six… but I think those given above already make the point.

So, now that we’ve done the sixes, what about the rest of the bib number? What about 519? Well, Daddy was born on 19 May 1932. Yep! In month 5, on its day 19.

So, given that his memory was a motivation for agreeing to plod my way through a city he loved for the sake of subjects he was passionate about, the bib number grabbed me as a sign of approval from the great beyond.