Traditions? There seem to be some lost along the way, but each family needs to hold onto a few, especially those that meant a lot when one reflects into one's past.

A simple tradition of those store-bought cupcakes that come in a box, seemed to make it a "party" at home, for us, whether it was Valentine's Day or St. Patrick's Day. That tradition continued when the grandchildren came over to my mom's, but it was on Halloween that gramma made her own, complete with a prize in the middle, wrapped in waxed paper! It was always so magical how they got there, considering that the prizes were never baked!

On St. Patrick's Day, however, it wasn't gramma that popped up with surprises, because it was the Leprechaun! Some people tell their children that he leaves magic or luck, that you can't see, so that a yearly event of purchases does not traditionally continue. You know how it is..the older they get, what is supposed to be an Irish token gets bigger. I feel, that if the Tooth Fairy can leave a little something, so too, can the Leprechaun.

We named "the" Leprechaun,"Rainbow", because of the pot of gold found at the end of all rainbows. Only my Irish friends had leprechauns visit their home, unlike a Guardian Angel, who protects all people.

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day praying to him, as in the Catholic tradition, so I don't recall how the leprechaun came about, but I supposed it is like our celelbration with St. Nicholas, AND Santa Claus, a few days before. Regarding the March holiday, I remember getting off the school bus, and the parade on TV was just about over when we got home. My parents would play those Irish albums to get us in the mood, and make us "feel" Irish. Well, I listened to some of them just the other day, and they were not only tinny, but corny! For someone that always uses her imagination, I couldn't even pretend that I was in Ireland! I always wondered, why we didn't learn about Irish history from them, which would add to our celebration, of a story or two. But I do remember looking forward to those green cupcakes!

As we got older, we discovered the once a year social acceptance of Irish coffee!Even yesterday, I felt as if I was in Ireland when I walked into an Irish pub in the city. Yes, I went to New York to "feel" something. After about an hour and a half of watching the parade, with no floats, I figured I could hear the music in a pub and out in the streets. What fun it is to see so many people dressed up

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