My Irish Eyes Are Smiling

It's St. Patrick's Day and my Irish Eyes Are Smiling  

Growing up Irish Catholic in New York, I believed in three things:  There is a God.  There is life after death.  And it never rains on the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.  

The latter belief was washed away one soggy March 17^th when torrents of rain beat down on bagpipes and tasseled boots sloshing down Fifth Avenue.  But the rain did not dampen the celebration.  There was no shortage of music, dancing and laughter – though they may have required a bit more “nourishment” with Irish whiskey and green beer.   

 

The spirit of Joy – with or without the libation – is one of the characteristics of the Irish people – one that I am proud to have inherited.  Laughter and music filled our home and accompanied us in the car.  “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” was a family anthem.  My father crooned the “Irish Lullaby” and sang “MacNamara’s Band” with gusto.  

 

When Uncle Ed sat down at the piano we would all gather around singing familiar songs, and laughing about family stories.  One day cousin Billy was visiting and sang “Shake hands with your uncle Mike …” I was mesmerized by the long list of Irish names chanted in the verse.  I have since learned every name and have great fun singing it with my grandchildren.  

 

Lest anyone think that the Irish spirit of joy reflects a happy-go-lucky attitude, I invite you to look deeper into the hearts and history of the Irish people.  Hardships suffered, both in Ireland and in America, are well documented – and my ancestors were no exception. 

 

However the heritage passed on to me included no self-pity.  A “woe-is-me” attitude was never tolerated in my family, no matter what the circumstances.  When it rained on our parade we were taught to accept reality, trust in God, and still take every opportunity to celebrate the blessings of life with a song and a smile on our lips. 

 

That rainy St. Patrick’s day many year ago may have washed away a myth, but it did not wash away my other important beliefs.  Faith in God and belief in life after death are the foundations of my life – and they foundations of our Irish heritage

 

This spirit of joy for the Irish is born of the deep, abiding faith in God and in life after death.  It springs from the unshakable conviction that the trials on this earth are only temporary and that our reward, including reunion with those we love, is assured by God through eternity.  It is this deep faith that carried the Irish people through generations of hardships and allowed them to celebrate life. 

 

Of course the Irish are not the only ones to appreciate and celebrate the joys of life.  But hey -- it’s St. Patrick’s Day -- and I’m celebrating my Irish heritage!  

And I invite each of you to lift a glass – whether it be Irish whiskey, French wine, German beer, Mexican Tequila, or simple, pure spring water – and join me in a toast to the blessing of life and the joy of Your own heritage.