I've heard of "angel numbers" before and think it's a bit silly but people like various number combinations, repetitives and palindromes, especially for special events. If it makes people feel good or lucky, or the numbers have some significance, then no harm. Sometimes I wonder if it's just easier to remember that way. I notice the time on a digital clock a lot, when it comes up to the numbers of someone's birthday, etc.

You mentioned 666 -- Today I thought about "liking" a comment on an atheist FB post, but the likes were at 666 and I didn't want to bump it to 667. Not really sure why I wanted to leave it at that number, but I did.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. We are at a tough age where loss is all too common. As far as numbers are concerned, I think people often use them to make sense of the incomprehensible, much as they do with religion. The only numbers that make sense to me are the numbers of the Fibonacci series, because they seem to occur so often in proportions and nature. Beyond that, numbers which occur in music are important to me. I'm sure there are other similar cases. Regarding angel numbers, I have noticed that the number 82 shows up a lot ever since a close friend of mine died. The last four digits of his phone number were 8282. Then I realized that I just notice those numbers more, and that's what gets my attention. People are attracted to what helps them get through the night.

I’m sorry to hear of the death of a former friend and colleague of course….but please spare us the angel/numeric mumbo-jumbo. I’m afraid it insults the intelligence of the sceptic and critical thinker in me too much Jack.