The question, "What's your favorite holiday" has probably received a wide variety of answers. The most common, of which we're most likely, Christmas, Easter, and Halloween.
Saint Patricks Day? Not so much.
I understand where people are coming from. "What's so important about the holiday associated with Lepruchans, the color green, and the occasional drunk?"
I have grown up in an Irish family, and Saint Patrick's Day, like every other major holiday revolves around a big family get-together. The guest list includes grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles, it's almost as large as our Christmas gathering.
The only difference is that this one is filled with traditional Irish music, shamrock decorations, Irish Soda Bread, and Corned beef and Cabbage. Corned beef and Cabbage, by the way, is kind of disgusting. I'm not insulting anyone's cooking skills, no one can make Corned Beef and Cabbage taste good, but that's beside the point.
Saint Patrick's Day is a day for celebrating the Irish Culture, and most importantly Saint Patrick.
As an Irish Dancer, I feel compelled to claim Saint Patrick Day as my favorite holiday. Normally this time of year is filled with a lot of extra practices for our Saint Patrick's day gigs, in Bars, Restaurants, Nursing Homes, Schools, Churches, Parades, Balls, and Weddings. However, even though this year is different, the same excitement and optimism follow me as we near Saint Patrick Day. On a normal Saint Patrick Day evening, we might visit 6-7 establishments to dance as entertainment. As well as 2-3 other gigs on the weekends before and after the holiday.
The reason why we do this is to have fun but also to bring joy to others. There is an unexplainable feeling of happiness when performing for others, especially when they seem to be enjoying themselves and the performance.
So when asked what holiday is my favorite, it may not be your typical answer, but it's the one that brings me the most joy!
I think it is so cool you wrote about a holiday that is close to your heart! Having special traditions and food and time to spend with family is all so important and I am glad you get to that even it is one of the unpopular holidays.
ReplyDelete"The occasional drunk.." that made me laugh. I oddly love corned beef and cabbage!
ReplyDeleteI really love how you wrote about this holiday. Irish soda bread is the best.
ReplyDelete