This month there is a special day that will be celebrated. March 17 has always been special for those of us who are of Irish decent. March 17th has always been a special day to me since I was a child, knowing that I am part Irish. That particular day was always one of my favorite, as a child getting to wear the color green all day appealed to me. Now I really do not know why, and I am now in my late 40s’, going to be 50 in a few months. I looked back in my history to find out what exactly it was about that date March 17th I think it had something to do with my grandfather Bill on my mothers side of the family.

It took me back to when I was 5,6 and 7 yrs old, remembering how he used to tell me all about my Irish roots………he had me out with him looking for leprechauns and their fateful pot-o-gold. Yep it is my PopPop Bill that left the mark in my very impressionable brain. To think that I still have this thing inside my head that tries to believe in leprechauns, little people, fairies and even the famed unicorns. Whenever I go outside just to walk around my yard, I still catch myself looking for the inevitable 4 leaf clover to bring myself a little luck or a lot of luck whichever I might need at the time. It is really funny to me all these years and that one event so long ago is ingrained inside my brain, to remember that special time with my grandfather who has been dead for 35 years. And as I remember that special moment in time around the famed St. Patrick’s’ Day I can see him standing there with his thick, dark black hair, dressed in his black and white checkered bakers pants, and his crisp white bakers shirt and his Chefs’ hat, I can smell his cologne and feel his hand on my head stroking my hair telling me he loves me. He was such an awesome man, he had so much love inside to share and he did share it with me. He dearly loved all of us who were his, and he dearly loved my Grandmother.

He would always make a special dish on that day too, and the dessert was always some kind of A symbol of the holiday. A shamrock cake, shamrock cookies with green icing, Or he might take us walking down the street to the local candy/malt shop to get some of their green ice cream as a treat…Pop loved his heritage and he loved his family. As I was tucked into bed for sleep he would tell one of his stories. Pop was one of the greatest story tellers I had ever known, he was the kind of guy who wouldn’t just get a book and read it to you he would just pull one out of thin air!! He would make it up as he went, and have you interacting with him to tell him how the story should go. And if all else failed he would tell a tale about castles, dragons, knights, and of queens and kings in Ireland, parts of history from so long ago, with some parts totally made up. With someone like Pop around there wasn’t a chance to be bored, or blue. So Pop If you are there looking down on me this St. Patrick’s’ Day, I miss you, I love you and have a Happy St. Patrick’s’ Day in heaven.

He was a Baker and a Chef and taught me the meaning, true meaning of Love by all that he did for his family. And all that he showed me of the big (little) world just outside in the back yard, He was always willing to build a tent inside the living room or a Cardboard box Castle in the backyard. He would take me to his Bakery and let me help with the chores inside the shop, or just help when he needed a set of small hands just to add sugar to his reciepes as he called it. He was and still is the first love I ever had and probably will always be one of the most important people who I loved in return, so unconditionally.Happy St. Patricks’ Day Pop