Oct 05 2008
The Power Of Three
I grew up hearing my mom and my grandma talking about things coming in 3’s. Especially with death. Now you can say there are lot more than 3 people dying in any given moment, but that’s not the way it works. It’s 3 people to whom you have some connection.
I have seen it many times. In a period of time, in a certain “grouping” 3 will die.
I will give you a few examples (these are only a few; if I went into all the cases I have experienced, this would be 3 pages long).
When I was 12 years old, within a matter of about 2 months, my grandfather, one of his brothers and one of my great-aunts died. All from one side of the family, all in the same generation.
My senior year in high school, in the beginning of the year, one of my previous teachers died of lupus. The end of December, a classmate was murdered. The end of the school year, a freshman committed suicide. All in one year, all related to school and all only known to me through school.
When I was around 19 or so, within 1 month, three more. My great-uncle (my grandpa’s brother) died from diabetes, my aunt (one of my grandpa’s sister-in-laws) died from cancer, my aunt (my uncle’s ex-wife) died of a drug overdose. All from my mom’s side, all related to the men in the family. All very unexpected.
Right now, I am doing what my mom and grandma have always done. There have been 2 deaths in the last week. I thought it yesterday when I heard of the second, “that’s 2.” When I told my mom about the second death, she said the same thing.
My best friend’s husband’s grandma passed away (from a stroke) Tuesday. Yesterday, another friend (who I had seen Friday afternoon) told me that her husband’s father passed away from a massive heart attack.
I tried applying other deaths to make it 3. Paul Newman? No, we don’t know him, that doesn’t count. My grandma’s best friend died a few weeks ago, so I was trying to apply her, but she belongs in her own grouping of 3. Of course, my mom thinks of my uncle who has been frail lately or my grandma who is 89 (knock on wood).
However, following the idea of groupings, this 3rd person would be related through marriage to someone we know.
I know many people will consider that kind of thinking to be superstitious. I am sure this sounds loony to a lot of you. However, many people believe things happen in 3’s.
In fact, the idea of the power of 3 is in various religions. Christianity has the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Wicca has the Goddess in the Mother, Maiden and Crone. Hinduism has Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
I always hope that the death in 3’s idea is broken, but it has yet to happen.
Oddly enough, I see the same patterns. I apply 3’s to pregnancies too. It never fails–once I know of one pregnant woman, I will shortly thereafter learn of the next two. Last year was CRAZY. I counted 12 at once. Good blog.
Davida
http://glue4families.today.com
Three is the “magic” number in our family too. Very strange.
I was told this by my Mum too and it is always true, especially with deaths.
You know, I had never paid attention to this until you told me about it a while back. Now I see that’s it’s true with me. My mother-in-laws cousin’s son was murdered in California two weeks ago. Her mother died last week, not sure who the 3rd is. But it’s like waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Well, I’m relieved to know I am not alone in this thinking! :)
Davida, I’ve noticed in pregnancies too.
Karina, yep, waiting for the other shoe to drop. I tend to hold my breath hoping I am wrong.
I am not aware of this until now, I guess no one have told me thus I never had paid attention. About deaths in three, I am with you to hope it could be wrong.