“May the blessing of Light be on you, light without and light within. May the blessed sunlight shine on you and warm your heart till it glows like a great peat fire, so that the stranger may come and warm himself at it, and also a friend.” — Old Irish Blessing from the book, Irish Blessings.
Matt gave me that book years ago and it is chock full of Irish blessings, some whimsical, some roguish, some that tug at your heart-strings, but all of them with special meaning to those of Irish blood.
Happy St. Pat’s Day, everyone. Perhaps a leprechaun was around yesterday to play a trick on us with the weather. The day started cloudy and rainy and then, before lunch, lo and behold! Those rain drops turned to snow. It was really pretty but really cold! The snow didn’t stick on the streets but it certainly covered the grass, the deck, and my brave little jonquils. I made a picture of my redbud tree, nicely decorated with ice clumps.
On St. Patrick’s Day, I think about my Irish ancestors. I found records of a few of them, back to the 1700s in the eastern United States, but I have yet to trace their passage in Ireland. They were there, though, and their blood still flows in the veins of my family and me. My dad was Irish to the core. He had a patrician look and I could imagine him in Ireland, riding around his estate on a fine horse, surveying his land. Of course, this never happened, but who knows? Maybe there was an ancestor back there in Ireland somewhere who did this. Dad loved a good joke, had a neat sense of humor but also an unyielding sense of right and wrong. Stern, I guess, at times. He loved to sing and he loved to cut loose with an Irish jig, grabbing the hands of whatever child was nearest, to dance with him. Alas, our feet could never keep up with those quick stepping feet of Bob Day.
I’ve written about the hunts for the Leprechaun’s gold with my kindergarteners when I taught school. My grandchildren and I, too, hunt for the treasure of that mischievous little fellow. We find his jacket and his green footprints, but he always hides so well, we never even catch a glimpse of him.
Now, I leave you with an old Irish blessing, hoping that all good things come your way and trouble stays far from your door!
“Wishing you a rainbow, For sunlight after showers–Miles and miles of Irish smiles For golden, happy hours–Shamrocks at your doorway For luck and laughter too, And a host of friends that never ends Each day your whole life through.” Book of Irish Blessings
Love the story about your dad. Very precious memories!
Yes, my dad was truly one of a kind. A sterling example for his children. I sure miss him!
May the road rise up to greet you
May the wind be always at your back
May the sun shine warm upon your face
And the rains fall soft upon your fields
And til we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of his hand.
This is from a song we sang in choir when I was in high school.
Thanks for sharing that, Miss. I’ve always liked that Irish blessing.