Why St. Patrick’s Day is My Favorite Holiday

I’ve always loved St. Patrick’s Day and when I tell people it’s my FAVORITE holiday, they always ask why.  I mean, after all, you don’t swap gifts (though I’ve been known to get a few from people who know I adore the day), you don’t get the day off school or work, and I’m really not a fan of corned beef and cabbage (the honorary St. Patrick’s Day meal in my house growing up), so what’s the big deal?

The big deal to me is I am Irish and I always felt extra special when this day rolled around.

I wore my green with pride. When they said “Irish eyes are smiling” I knew they were talking about mine, and that meant I was up to something (I was never known as the trouble maker as a kid and I kind of liked the mischievous feeling that the saying implied).

I dreamed of the days when I could actually go see Ireland for myself, and I have, twice now.  I’m certain I’ll go again.  It’s green and it’s gorgeous and when it rains (which it does a lot), you see rainbows every direction you turn.

The music of Ireland speaks to my soul, from the old ballads to the fun Celtic tunes you hear today.  They all tell a story, and you know how I love to hear stories.

My grandmother’s maiden name was Daly, and on one trip to Ireland I researched enough to find a string of literary experts with the surname Daly, so I feel I’m being true to my soul as I pour out words to the page (or web in these times).

I never got to meet my grandmother, but we had a photo of her on our wall growing up and she was beautiful.  When relatives said I resembled her I felt beautiful, too.

Even my youngest is named Daly, after her.  She’s the only Daly I know, and people assume it has a connection to the “daily news” because of my news background, but it doesn’t.  It’s tied to my grandmother and those before her.  It’s a sweet name for a sweet girl. And since she’s the only one I know who has it, I consider that extra-super-special.

And who knows, maybe she’ll turn out to be a writer, too.

Maybe you don’t have the same ties to the Irish pride.  But we’re a happy people who love a party, so grab your green and join our clan, even if it’s just for a day.