Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Celebrate the Irish

I've Irish blood from both sides of my family. The names of my siblings tells you my parents were proud of their Irish heritage: Mike, Tom, Dan and Kathy. Had our father not died early in his life, we likely would have had a brother or sister named Pat. Although we had many other types of ethnic blood, our mother raised us as Irish and St. Patrick's Day was a day of celebration. We even attended St. Patrick's school (and St. Patrick's Day may even have been a school holiday--I can't remember. But if it wasn't it should have been.) Our mother remarried 21 years ago, on St. Patrick's Day, and of course, married an Irishman: Bob Walton.

Here's hopin a few of these Irish sayings bring a smile to your heart on this most sacred day:

If you're lucky enough to be Irish, then you're lucky enough.

Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.

May you be poor in misfortunes and rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.
May good luck be your friend in whatever you do.
And may trouble be always a stranger to you.

May flowers always line your path and sunshine light your day.
May songbirds serenade every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a sky that's always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through.

It's easy to be pleasant when life flows by like a song,
but the man worth while
is the man who will smile
when everything goes dead wrong.
For the test of the heart is trouble
and it always comes with years,
and the smile that is worth the praises of earth
is the smile that shines through the tears.

Love to all,
Danny Boy

10 comments:

Rebecca Weber said...

From one Irish myeloma patient to another-Happy St. Patrick's Day. My husband and wish you well and pray for you Dan.

Rebecca and Jerry Weber

tim's wife said...

Great post. I love those
"irish blessings". Happy St. Patrick's Day and PLEASE tell
me somebody is smuggling you in
some serious corned beef and cabbage from somewhere!
Denise(who has Irish stamped all over her in freckles!)

dan patterson said...

Denise,
I ordered a corned beef sandwich 2 days ago to "test" the hospital version. Failure! Susan will have to go hunting in Houston to satisfy my Irishness today. I am confident, as Houston is full of good restaurants. Happy St. Paddy's Day.
Dan

Steven L. Ritter said...

Dan:

Both of my grandparents, dad's side were born in Ireland... My real last name is Cobb...Long story.. My mothers maiden name was Davidson.. So.. From one Irish guy to another...Happy St. Patrick's Day!! However; I won't be wearing the green today as the green is in my blood!!!
Have a great day.

Arlene said...

Oh my God Mr. O'Patterson,

Now I know the karma which actually connects you and Suz!!! Good old “St. Patrick’s School”

I am actually having flashbacks myself just thinking about it. And, yes, for us St. Patrick's Day was always a holiday.

Love you. Arlene

Kate said...

Here's another Irish saying to add to your list, Danny Boy.

May your mornings bring joy
and your evenings bring peace...
May your troubles grow less
as your blessings increase!

slainte

This is an Irish toast meaning health. I will raise my glass and toast to you, but after work. They frown on me drinking Guinness in the school library.

And, yes, we did get St. Patrick's Day off from school.

Celebrate being Irish today.

Love, your Irish sister, Kathleen

Sandy said...

My father, who was not Irish, loved the song "Danny Boy" and I cannot hear it today without getting wet eyes. But we had lovely Irish people in our lives all the time I was growing up in the Eastern portion of the U.S., and today is, sure and begorrah, a great day to remember them all... I'd pluck a four-leaf clover for you today, if it wasn't raining....

Mom said...

Happy St. Patrick's Day to my Danny Boy. I have been practicing my speech for the banquet tonight at St. Patrick's Parish. We are celebrating 125 years as a parish.My mom and dad were married there in 1911 so we have been in the parish a long time. Celebrate as best you can. In my estimation St. Pat's Day is right up there next to Christmas. Erin go bragh Love, Mom

Gail said...

These Irish eyes are smiling back at you. love,
Gail

Molly T. said...

May God be with you and bless you,
May you see your children's children,
May you be poor in misfortune, rich in blessings.
May you know nothing but happiness From this day forward.

and May the luck of the Irish be with you.
- Molly and Daniel