01.12.07
Irish Blessings
A few weeks ago, there was a music special on television which featured an Irish tenor. When he sang, in the background were the hills and valleys of the Emerald Isle. I feel blessed to claim an Irish heritage, through my Dad’s family. I would love to go to Ireland sometime. Moreover, I find the Irish people charming, devout, playful with language, and a most sincere lot.
Of course, the American stereotype for the Irish is a very different picture, that of a “mick,” a drunk, or a ne’er do well.
One thing I know is that the Irish have a lot of gumption and lot of bravery and a long history of standing up to despots who would take all that they have and leave them to starve. During the potato famine, starve they did. How strange to live in such a beautiful place and yet, historically, to be persecuted, particularly because of one’s brand of faith.
I grew up with Irish music and with Irish blessings such as, “May The Road Rise Up To Meet You, May The Wind Be Always At Your Back, May the Sun Shine Bright Upon Your Fields, and Until We Meet Again, May God Hold You In The Palm of His Hands.”
A more recent, “Irish?” thought goes like this:
“Let those who love us, love us.
And those who don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So that we may know them by their limping.” - anonymous
What a thought! Wouldn’t it be nice if we knew our enemies by such an easy manner?
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up in March. While I will not drink green beer, I will recall my father with great fondness, and all the lessons he taught me, leading by his strong example of goodness and faith. I do believe that he enjoyed irritating or otherwise teasing my mother, a gal of Southern origins who had been transplanted to the north. Any time he wanted to get her goat (or her attention), he would call her “Lizzie,” as in “Lizz-uh,” or would croon Irish ballads in her presence. At least she would pretend to be put out. So much for reminiscing. I am pleased that my grandson has the strong Irish name of Patrick James, both names that are within the family genealogy.
‘Til we meet again, watch out for the banshees, look for shamrocks, and don’t kiss the Blarney Stone.
Patricia
