That's Life: Great Day for the Irish
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As far as I know Mother did not follow any of the traditions her parents' brought from their native lands, except for baking luscious lasagna now and then, and serving us corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day.
While the corned beef simmered on the stove, Mother would watch TV coverage of the marchers parading on New York's Fifth Avenue in celebration of the day when just about everyone wants to be counted among the Irish.
I remember my schoolmates, including those of Jewish, Polish and black heritage, wearing green on that day. "My grandmother was a Kelly," I would announce proudly as I sported a green sweater.
After Mother passed away, I kept to her custom of watching the parade. And over the years, I have listened to countless school bands playing "It's a Great Day for the Irish," while cheerleaders twirled batons in rhythm to the music.
<L2>I never attended that parade — I hate crowds. But no matter how many people are expected to throng to the parade this year, it will not deter my daughter-in-law Cathleen McGuire, nee Grogan, from traveling from her home on Long Island to New York's Fifth Avenue to participate in the parade.
Cathleen was born in the United States, but she must have been kissed by a wandering leprechaun for she is crazy about everything Irish. When my son, Christopher,and Cathleen became engaged, I teased him, saying, "You had it made with Cathleen once she knew you were a McGuire."
Cathleen's favorite color, of course, is green and shamrocks are the plants she prefers. The dish set she bought as a newlywed is embellished with shamrocks, and just recently, to please Cathleen, my son painted the kitchen in their home green.
Christopher and Cathleen's two children are cute cherubs whose attire further reflects Cathleen's passion for the Irish. In e-mail photos I have received of Baby Mary she is wrapped in a white shawl embroidered with shamrocks.
Cathleen dresses Baby Mary's big brother, John William, aka "Jack," in sweat shirts and caps emblazoned in green with such logos as "Kiss Me I'm Irish." With or without an invitation, I like to smother Jack with kisses.
Now at the age of 3, Jack loves to strut around the living room, banging a pot with a cooking spoon, imitating the marchers pictured on a video of last year's St. Patrick's Day parade that he incessantly begs his parents to run.
This Monday, Jack will not need to pretend he is in a parade. God willing, he will be right there on Fifth Avenue, marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Well, he won't exactly be moving on his own power, but resting on his behind in a stroller, which Cathleen will wheel down Fifth Avenue.<R3>
With high hopes that the TV cameras might capture them, Cathleen told me, "We will be with the Parents and Teachers for the Irish Dance and Music Association, which start marching at 11:30. We are close behind the FDNY, then a few others, then the Irish Dancers, and Jack will be in his red stroller with me right behind."
As I write this, it is March 16 and I have yet to find out if Time Warner will carry the parade on one of the television channels to which I subscribe. I sure hope so, but anyway, I'm sure Cathleen will send me photos of Jack on the memorable occasion when he attends his first St. Patrick's Day parade — decked out in a green outfit and his big blue eyes dancing with glee.
Oh what a glorious day it will be for all the folk who have left a bit of their heart back in Ireland as well as those Americans like my daughter-in-law who love all things that speak of Ireland.
Phyllis McGuire lives in Williamstown and is an occasional contributor to iBerkshires. She'll be wearing green today.
For more information on parades, click here.
