Forty-Four

Sign of the state road no. 44 in Austria (Bundesstrasse 44 Oesterreich) via Wikipedia

If you have been following my Friday 80s Flashback posts this month, you know that April is my birth month and that I shall turn forty-four (44). In fact, I might already be 44 by the time you read this. But I tend to draw out the celebration of my Born On date even while I decline to provide the specific day so it is never too late -- or too early -- to join in my revelry. Now, 44 may not be as auspicious as "forty-two (42)," but it does have its fair share of symbolism. It is part of a group of numbers known as master numbers in numerology. I don't necessarily carry a master number as my life purpose number is 4, but turning 44 could present a double-helping of the energies present in life path #4 (or some such thing), right?

Well, whether numbers pose an influence beyond bank accounts and cholesterol counts, reaching the age of 44 is an achievement. To mark my latest journey around the Sun, I will not have a party, nor will I seek presents. But I do have a request (and if you recall my Forty-Two post from 2010, you can probably guess where I'm going this time around). If you choose to participate in celebrating my Born On date, I ask that you donate time or money to your favorite charity or not-for-profit organization. If you do not have a favorite, I happily suggest a few of my own (in addition to the causes listed in my Activism tab):

• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society -- My father-in-law would have celebrated another birthday on Monday (4/26) -- if he had not succumbed to cancer in March 2005. My own father was diagnosed with a recurrence of Myelodysplasia syndrome (MDS) in November 2009. He has since had a successful mini transplant. And while the doctors are pleased if not downright surprised at his progress to date, it is still a somewhat slow recovery process. So, yeah, I'm all for funding cancer research and treatment.
• Cleveland Clinic -- My father had his bone marrow transplants performed here. They have an excellent medical staff and wonderful family support programs.
• School of Sacred Ministries -- Independent divinity school that offers a 27-month program of spiritual training with ordination as an Interfaith Minister upon conclusion. I was ordained here, I continue to work with them, and they can always use money to continue their programs and further the cause of interfaith dialog.
• Montgomery Theater -- A small professional theater in the suburbs of Philadelphia, Montgomery Theater is my home-away-from-home. Like many not-for-profit enterprises operating in the arts, they are often in a budget crunch. Donations can help pay actor salaries and utility bills, or keep the education programs running (Young Actors Workshop, Girl Scout Badge Program, Montgomery Theater Too, Artist in Residence Program).
• Philabundance -- The Delaware Valley’s largest hunger relief organization. Working to end hunger and malnutrition since 1984.
• KidsPeace -- Top notch (and kind of local, for me) facility helping children and their families. Founded and headquartered in PA in 1882, they have services in "Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia."

Thank you in advance!