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St Patrick's Day: It's good to be Irish

Like most American's I am a mutt. Also, like most American's on St. Patrick's Day I push all the other nationalities that lie within me aside and tout my Irish heritage. I wear my green shirt like a badge of honor. I have been known to address the day with a cheery "Top o' the mornin' to ye," indulged in the consumption of green beer (which I challenge you to find anywhere in Ireland), and have sung a song or two in a pub.

These days, my St. Patrick's Day celebration is a bit more subdued. Being the mother of two small children I find myself more interested in using this day to embrace the more traditional aspects of our ancestry and to rekindle a spark of Irish pride in our home.

My mother always cooked for St. Patrick's day, preparing the traditional corned beef and cabbage along with Irish Scones. I continue that tradition, but also make Irish soda bread and a nice beef stew (I am not the fan of corned beef that my husband is) this year I am planning to try my hand at colcannon.

I also embrace this day as an opportunity to remember my heritage, my ancestors that risked their lives to begin anew in this country in order to save their family from famine. I try, each year, to visit my Aunt Catherine and listen as she recollects stories of my great-grandmother, grandmother and each of her nine siblings who have passed before her- trying to sear her stories into my memory. On this day I especially hold dear the thoughts of my grandmother who was one hundred percent Irish. She had that Irish lilt in her eyes and the love of music in her heart for which the Irish are so well known. I too carry that love (along with the bit of rebellion that she also possessed).

I know that as my children grow into adulthood they will, along with the rest of America, go to pubs, party and get a little crazy on this holiday. I also hope that will carry forward some of the traditions that I am trying share with them from my own mother.

So, on St. Patrick's Day, participate in the wearin' of the green, have yourself a pint or two, but take a moment to toast a whiskey to those who fought to get you here and for those that you still hold in your heart.

And Remember:
Saint Patrick was a gentleman, who through strategy and stealth
Drove all the snakes from Ireland, here's a drink to his health!
But not too many drinks, lest we lose ourselves and then
Forget the good Saint Patrick, and see them snakes again!
~Author Unknown

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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