A good friend ordered cookies for St. Patrick’s Day this year. I am slowly getting back into cookie making - people are beginning to celebrate again! And I went to the internet to get some ideas of cookies to make and decorate. There were all of the usual suspects - shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold and rainbows. But some new additions for me were bow ties and plaids! Last night as I was decorating, I was thinking of my memories of St. Patrick’s Day, and I realized I was missing what St. Patrick’s Day used to be.
My first memories of St. Patrick’s Day came from my mom. I would not describe my mom as someone who was super oriented towards large holiday celebrations or fanfare, but she had some simple traditions that were always there. St. Patrick’s Day was one of them ... it was simple, but she loved the tradition of wearing green on the day. And even more loved the old tradition of a pinch for not wearing green. She gave us warning, but was quick to sneak a little pinch if our pjs didn’t include green when we came down for breakfast. I was always careful to include some green to avoid getting “caught.” Mom seemed to enjoy (not in a unkind way) the sneaky “gotcha” element of being able to give you a pinch for forgetting. I loved seeing that side of my mom ... it was fun to see your mother act a little out of her usual character. And to see that she had that playful spirit to share with us.
And then came my turn to try to carry on the tradition. I can still remember hearing of moms who were dumping out toy boxes, emptying dresser drawers and making messes all over the house in the name of the leprechaun and having one of those “aha” moments where I thought - “why would I make a big mess in a house that already verged on super messy and then have to clean it up myself when all done?” So I came up with ideas that were less mess, but still fun. The leprechaun snuck in our house and left little messages on windows, mirrors and peed in the toilet (complete with green pee!), maybe dumping dirty laundry on the bed and leaving gold coins somewhere for a surprise. We might have a box of Lucky Charms for breakfast. And there were the years of the bread machine when Ed would get in the spirit and make a green loaf of bread for us to eat. We might have made some simple leprechaun traps, but that effort was minimal. But I did survey the crowd for green and was ready with a little pinch just like my mom to keep the fun alive! And I remember heated arguments as to whether the green counted if it was not visible... think green on underwear, socks or somewhere that was not immediately visible. I pinned on green ribbons, green shamrocks for those who were concerned they would get caught with a pinch. (Now I recognize that some might find this idea of pinching for fun less than a good thing ... oh well, I guess I will have to rethink that moving forward.). It was a simple and fun holiday for us. I miss that.
Now I have come to treasure St. Patrick more for two of his prayers that have become two of my favorites. The simplicity of the language and thought make them prayers that come to me from memory at times when I need them. And they remind me of my need to stay close to God in my every day life in the quiet and in the busy. I am thankful for his reminders.
So tomorrow, I will put on my green somehow and smile thinking of those fun times in the past and say thanks to St. Patrick for bringing me joy then and now.
“Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.”
“Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.”
both attributed to St. Patrick
