Slainte

One thing I miss more than some other stuff since leaving John, is St Patty's day.  I grew up loving it.  Even as a kid, before it involved the inherent partying.. I loved it.  My Dad's birthday is the first week of March, so we always had corned beef for it, and then the Irish music would take over the house for a week or two leading up to the real day..  The Staten Island parade is always the first Sunday of March, so between Pop's birthday, the Staten Island parade, and the real day itself, March was always a happy and festive time around home.
When I started dating John, the Irish took on a whole new level.  His Dad is from Ireland, and his Mom was born to two Irish immigrants and grew up in Manhattan.  John was a champion Irish Step dancer.  He and his siblings were neck deep in the Irish dancing world and their lives were completely  drowned in  the traditions of Ireland.  The home decor of he and his siblings screeeeeam Irish.  Lots of Belleek and shamrocks everywhere and let's not forget all the statues of the Catholic saints. .  If you're looking for lace table runners, they're the family to go to.  Go ahead and play a clip of some Irish song-- I guarantee you that not only do I know it, but I'd bet that it's on my itunes library.    I loved it all at the time.  It's fun!  All the festivities and traditions.  My wedding night involved a good amount of traditional Irish dance (not by hired little girls, but by John and ,I, among other family), and John and his friend Cormack sang traditional Irish songs, and also a few Irish American songs arm in arm on the back deck while I did shots of whiskey. Magic.


  I just don't feel it anymore.   He ruined it for me a little bit.  Growing up, it was all a party.  All very novel.  And silly, almost.  After being a part of John's family for so many years, where they took celebrating their heritage very seriously, it kinda tarnished it all for me.  I don't find it silly and fun and trivial anymore.  I kind of hate it a little bit.  I hate to admit that out loud here.  I do.  But it's true.