Words on the Page

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Personal Holidays

What’s on the iPod: Galway Girl by Mundy

Cead Mile Failte!

What a day. I wait 364 days for today, and when it arrives, it’s like Christmas. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone! I’ll be celebrating at my favorite haunt. If you live nearby, stop in. I’d love to celebrate with you.
Two years ago, I was toasting my great-uncle Ray Gallagher, who had passed just a week prior to St. Paddy’s day. This year, I’ll be toasting the last of my grandmother’s siblings — Les Gallagher, who departed this world July 2013 at the age of 95. He was a WWII veteran and a pilot for Pan Am (remember that one?). As one of the best-loved uncles in the family, he will have the day dedicated to him as his own unofficial wake. We were lucky to be blessed with his good humor and sharp wit.
I’ll also be toasting a dear friend who just passed last week all too soon. She graced us with a fantastic sense of humor and a smile for everyone. She was just 51 and she was one of my sister’s close friends. Deb Wiester, we miss you. 
Oh, but that’s not all today brings. In 2006, I started a blog. It was a whim — I wanted to try this online journaling thing everyone was talking about. I didn’t plan it to be on my favorite day, but fate stepped in. 
Eight years later, we have a habit.
Even though I’m not around today, I couldn’t let the day pass without saying thank you. It’s because of you – my friends – that this blog is here. Thank you for contributing, for interacting, and for making this a lively, wonderful place for me to see my virtual friends every day. 
My gift to you: an Irish blessing.
May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door.”


And a joke, of course. 🙂

One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints, and were stuck in the thick head.

The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer, and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened.

The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink, held it out over the beer, and started yelling, “SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT YOU BASTARD!!!!”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!

9 responses to “Personal Holidays”

  1. Cathy Miller Avatar

    LOL! Love it! Enjoy your day, Lori! And may your head remain attached to your body. Even if it doesn't feel like it. 😉

  2. Paula Avatar

    I may not be Irish, but I do have on green(ish) nail polish today. Hope that counts.

    From now on, instead of thinking of today as St. Patrick's Day I'll celebrate it as your blog-a-versary!

    Happy 8th Blog-a-versary to you, Lori!

  3. Devon Ellington Avatar

    Best wishes to you, my dear friend!

  4. Jake Poinier Avatar

    So sorry to hear of your friend's passing, Lori. I lost a dear buddy last spring who was Irish enough to have a shamrock tattoo, and I have his memorial poem taped to my computer. It makes me smile–as did your joke.

    Congrats on the 8 years!

  5. Eileen Avatar

    I finally remembered to wear the shamrock socks that have been sitting in their package in my sock drawer for 4 years. :/ I reposted your joke on my FB page and needless to say, with my Irish roots, it has garnered many "likes."

  6. Jennifer Mattern Avatar

    I'm sorry to hear about your friend Lori. *hugs*

    Congrats on blog anniversary. 8 years. What an accomplishment! 🙂

    So how crazy was Molly's? Am I going to kick myself for not going?

  7. Lori Widmer Avatar

    My head and my body were best friends all day, Cathy. Only at one point was there a danger of them parting ways, but I quickly recognized the feeling and switched to water.

    Paula, that's an excellent alternative, and I thank you for it!

    Thank you, Devon. I wish you could have been there. I suspect you and I in a pub could be quite the trouble. 🙂

    Jake, that's a terrific thing to hold on to. What a nice tribute. My friend — our friend, for everyone who knew her adopted her — left this world knowing she was loved by many. We'd seen her depression at Christmas (very unusual for her to reveal that) and had banded together. The result was a charm bracelet with 31 charms from those of us who were able to send them. She said going into the surgery that eventually took her life that she was hoping the doctors could lift her — she was carrying 31 people with her. 🙂 She was wearing it at her funeral last week.

    Glad the joke made you smile, Eileen. And I'm very glad you remembered your socks. 🙂

    Thanks, Jenn. She graduated with my sister and they hung out constantly in high school. But she was the type whom everyone just loved being around.

    Molly's wasn't bad. I was there at 7:30 (how pathetic — they opened at 8 and I wanted to be first). The crowds didn't really start until lunchtime, and it just got busier as the day went. By 6:30, I was done. It was fantastic, though. 🙂 And I'm betting all my new friends have forgotten they ever met me, including Pamela, who introduced herself to me three times. LOL

  8. Jennifer Mattern Avatar

    LOL Well that sounds like an interesting day. I was over in Pville on Sunday (so missed ya by a day). I found out one of my cousins was actually banned from Molly's. Somehow that wasn't a surprise. lol

    We'll have to do lunch there again at some point — as soon as I'm back on a regular sleep schedule so I don't fall asleep at the wheel. 😉

  9. Lori Widmer Avatar

    LOL! I'm sure your cousin isn't alone — even one of the band members from our favorite sessions isn't allowed back. 🙂

    Yes to lunch — just let me know when you're in town again.

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