While I am no longer a practicer of any religious tradition, I was raised in a traditional Irish Catholic household - and tomorrow is still an important holiday as a result. We joke about the Irish drinking their way in and punching their way out - and to an extent that is actually true - but.
We also love music, and many nights I remember the family gathered in the kitchen/dining room singing and enjoying the Water of Life. My grandparents on both sides of my family left the island between the world wars, latecomers to the USA relative to the millions of Irishmen who landed here before. By the time they arrived, the rampant racism and xenophobia vis-a-vis the Irish had subsided but anti-catholic sentiment was still fairly strong. They realized the deep south, specifically Louisiana, was far more friendly to European Catholics so they ended up way down on the delta.
In any event, the symbolism of St. Patrick banishing the snakes from Ireland is still a very strong cultural memory within my family. We always celebrate with a party the night before - and a day of sobriety and reflection on the day of.
So raise a glass to those who succeeded that you are able to sit here and read this. If you know anyone named Hailey or Halley or Healy - give a smile, wish them top of the morning. My family name was O' Heilidhe - anglicised to Healy.
Anywhoo - it is now time to pull a cork and enjoy a dram or four. I just wanted to share a bit about my past. Happy Saturday, and may the road rise with you.
I have a signature.
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