Saturday, March 17, 2012

Happy St. Patrick's Day


May the blessing of the Irish be upon you this day.

For my family this holiday always marked a huge event, for all of my grandparents came from Ireland and today I thought I'd share some about my dad's family.
Much of the details are sketchy and dates are uncertain but the legends we grew up with are family treasures. My father was a talented writer and as I quote from our family history I feel like I could be reading one of the great authors of his time.

"Bit of Heaven fell and they called it Ireland. The Isle of Enchantment, Isle of Saints and Scholars, the Isle of song and laughter, the Isle often enshrouded in mist overcast with grey billowing clouds was and is the Isle of joy and sorrow, of hunger and poverty but proudly displaying a zest for life, a respect and awe of the Leprechaun, and devout respect for holy things."

My grandmother was a lover of songs and had a fine voice; born in Kilkenny in one of the many small towns or districts. She was mild tempered, fair, a wonderful mother and person. She loved all sports. My grandfather was also born in Kilkenny, a County of strong men, physically and mentally, fair of complexion with a golden red cast and a powerful man with a barrel chest, short powerful legs and shoulders; he stood 6 ft plus and 220+ lbs. When he was approximately 13 yrs old, he was on a champion football team in Ireland. Apparently some of his feats were quite like Hercules and were verified by people(and old newspaper clippings) who witnessed them. Another time a horse kicked him in the arm way up by his shoulder and the horse actually broke his leg and had to be put down but my grandfather only had a gash on his arm. Among other things my grandfather loved the "drink" and would indulge in moderation, but with his size his moderation probably would have killed someone smaller.
Once he immigrated to San Francisco he did various jobs~shoveling coal on the docks, worked as a railroad policeman, a laborer building cannon mounts in the Presidio and as a security watchman on the waterfront. He was well known and respected, not only in the Irish community but also in all of the docks of San Francisco.

My own father was a loyal faithful friend, giving to all who were in need. He was a renowned story teller and cherished family above all else. Each year on St. Patty's Day he would send my mother a bouquet of green carnations and she was the envy of many. He had a wonderful voice and was quite handsome and very similar in looks to Fred Astaire. He was a poet at heart and always left us little notes sharing his love with us.
My only sibling now is my dear brother and as we get older I cherish him more. He is so much like my father; his sense of humor and teasing ways reminds me always of dad. In many ways, he bears the resemblance of my mom as well~her work ethic and business sense. I am blessed by quite an inheritance-not of money but of character, wit and Irish legacy.

So it is today that we look upon our heritage with fond recollections and partake of the food our parents and their parents did-Corned Beef, Cabbage, Potato's, Carrots. We won't all be gathering together but we'll be together in spirit.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from my home to yours.




This is a post from last year; again I wish you Happy St. Patrick's Day.  May you count your blessings this day and find true gold in all that you have been given.

Blessings, Noreen 



21 comments:

  1. Oh, I love it! That was so fun to read!

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  2. So many wonderful memories. Pasted from one generation to the next and you can be sure that this next generation will grow up hearing them as well. I love our heritage!

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  4. Fun to read your post.

    Have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day, friend.

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  5. Happy St Patrick's Day Noreen! Thank you for sharing lovely memories about your family.

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  6. Noreen, you have a very lovely, rich blog! Thank you for sharing your family history, and thank you for being a living testimony of Jesus Christ!

    God bless,

    Andrea

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  7. Happy St. Patrick's Day back at ya!

    Linda
    http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/

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  8. Noreen, I so enjoyed reading this, what a beautiful heritage you and your brother have to pass down.
    I thought the story of the horse kicking your grandfather, was so cute, usually the person getting kicked gets the shorter end of the stick.

    How wonderful to have such details. Thank you for sharing this, and I know you really do cherish it.
    Hugs, and Blessings,
    Sue

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  9. I loved your family stoty. It is a joy to also come and visit you BLOG. Its sounds like you enjoyed your brothers and sister in laws visits. Family is wonderful. A real blessing.

    Happy St. Patricks Day!

    Blessings & Hugs
    Janet

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  10. Thanks for sharing! Happy St. Patty's Day to you NanaNors!

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  11. Memories!!!

    And blessings to you my friend.

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  12. Hi Noreen,
    Very nice post about your Irish heritage, for some reason it didn't come up on my dashboard earlier in the week, but I went back and caught up, and so glad I did. My dad was Irish as well.
    The new quilt you made for the new grandbaby is lovely as always. That is a neat thought to wrap up in her blanket and think of you. that is a nice thought.
    You have a delightful day dear,
    Have missed hearing from you.
    Blessings, Nellie

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  13. Loved reading your post! Wonderful memories.
    Hugs

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  14. hey my friend - haven't seen you around! happy st. patricks day to you too my friend!

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  15. Hi, Nana-
    You won the Yay! giveaway at Everyday Ruralty. You can check it out here:
    http://www.everydayruralty.com/2012/03/yay-winners.html

    Thanks, Patrice

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  16. I missed it last year; glad that I didn't miss it this. I love these old family stories of legend and lore. Yours sounds like a great Irish family!

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  17. Loved reading all about your family!... hope your dinner is delicious!... Happy St. Patrick's Day my friend, xoxo Julie Marie

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  18. Hi Noreen!! To start, I really enjoyed reading about your family! What a wonderful and strong heritage you have to be proud of!!

    I hope you've had a wonderful day, and I am so glad that Reggie is doing well!! Take care!!

    ¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
    (¸.•´ (¸.•` ¤ HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!*´¨)

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  19. What wonderful memories. I have been told there was some Irish on my mother's side, but she just called herself American. We did have corned beef and cabbage. One of my favorite meals. Hope you enjoyed your day.

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  20. Beautiful memories and keepsakes for "the wearin' o the green" day! Have a peaceful Sunday!
    xoxo
    Sammie and Avalon

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  21. Thanks for sharing your heritage, Noreen. Your brother sounds like my dh, always teasing and happy. I also now know where you get your writing ability, I bet you can sing too.~smile~ Enjoy your evening.
    Hugs,
    Sue

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