Well for starters most of us here in Ireland have a day off work and those pretending to do Lent can eat sweets or drink (because we all know Jesus took St Patrick’s day off when he was in the dessert!) We can watch our Facebook timelines flood with people sharing everything Irish, and celebrate our culture, country and sense of humour.
But wait, there’s an even better reason to celebrate St Patrick’s Day… It’s my Birthday!
Yes it’s true. I was born on 17th March and my parents obviously spent many hours thinking what to call me, before something inspired them to name me Patricia. That wasn’t today or yesterday and as I wake this morning I’m officially old, really old. In the lead up to this birthday I’ve found it hard to get my head around my age. There are times I think, ‘Wow, I’m ancient’ and there are many times I catch a glimpse of myself in a mirror, and think ‘Wow I look ancient’. I’m not actually sure which of the two is worse.
However despite my being officially over the hill, in the past few weeks I’ve been taking stock of where I’m at in my life,
Compared to my teens and the less than easy time I had back then, this is Heaven.
Compared to my early twenties and watching my Dad slowly die, this is Heaven.
Compared with the early days of marriage and adjusting to life away from family, this is Heaven.
Compared with the early days of mothering, the isolation and exhaustion, this is Heaven.
Compared with being a mother of teenagers, the tempers, power struggles and rows, this is Heaven.
Compared with almost every other time in my life, save perhaps early childhood, this is Heaven.
My brother and I
So today I have a plan. I intend to lighten up, enjoy the day, drink to St Patrick, being Irish and of course, ME. Why don’t you join me?
I may be old on paper, but in my heart I’m still a young girl from Dublin, married to yer man from Cork, living a life surrounded by a family I’m very proud of and friends you’d travel a lifetime to find.
So Happy St Patrick’s Day wherever you are.
Sláinte.
My thoughts on a page. 
Enjoy this special day all the way around!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you. I will.
I would sing Happy Birthday but I don’t wish to damage your hearing. Grin. Happy Birthday to yooouuuu Happy Birthday to yooouuu! Grin
Happy Birthday, Tric. Enjoy every second of the day that’s in it and you’re not anywhere near old, aged, ancient ….xxx
Aw Thanks Jean. I’d a lovely day.
Happy St. Patricia’s Day
Hope you’d a good one too unless you stick by lent?
Fantastic, tric. Every year I go off watching various agricultural vehicles snake along the street tooting their horns. I permitted myself a few treats for the day that was in it. Hope you’d a good’un. A birthday on Paddy’s Day – that’s either the best day for it. Or the head-buryingly worse.
Happy birthday to a gorgeous woman who never fails to both make me smile and bring a tear to my eye. Enjoy heaven xx
Wow thank you. Heaven comes to us all eventually. 😄
Happy St.Paddy’s Day my friend! xx ( And Happy Birthday!!)
Thank you. Hope you got to enjoy your bit of Irish too.
Happy Birthday and Happy St. Patty’s Day Tric and you’re NOT ancient! ❤
Diana xo
Thanks so much, for both sentiments.
Happy Birthday Tric!
Thank you. I hope you’d a good St Patrick’s Day.
Hope you are still celebrating Tric, its still early for a young wan like you!!
Haha. I’m relaxing now after a lovely day. Thank you
Happy Birthday! If you are old, then I am ancient! Which is why I don’t do mirrors much!! That’s a great pic of you and your brother! You look so happy! Enjoy yer day!!! 🍷🍷🍷
Thanks Deb. I really enjoyed yesterday.
Yes I never put photos in but I thought that one really showed how great a night I had and how I really feel.
I think we are both fab it’s the mirrors need adjusting. 😄
HAPPY ST TRIC BIRTHDAY PATRICK”S DAY !!!!!! You KNOW I am jealous. Right? 😀 I hope your day was fabulous!
Thanks so much. The day was fab. Today is stunning with glorious sunshine. You’d love it.
Thank you for sharing that with me Tric. 🙂 One day. Again. Though I suspect if I go again….I may not be pried off of the land to return.
Wishing you a heavenly year to come!
Great comment. Thank you.
happiest of birthdays and st. patrick’s days to you, tric. and to all those pretending to do lent )
Thanks Beth. I’m sure many pigged out yesterday.
Happy Birthday and St Paddy’s Day, Tric! 🍀 i hope to share Ireland with Master someday! 💜
Thanks a mil. Today the sun is shining and when it does this is a beautiful country. I hope you get to see it some day.
Oh, i have traveled to Ireland. I long to return and share your lovely country with Master who has never been.
Happy B-Day AND St. Paddy’s Day – Wearin’ of the Green – funny colored beers (at least here in USA) and all – may you- a non-authoritative source on Google informs me the following is an Old Irish Blessing – I care not if it actually is Old/Authentic or not – it does convey my wishes for you:
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
Thank you for such a lovely comment. Yesterday was great and I’ve a few more celebrations lined up. This is my longest birthday ever.
ancient, my arse – you’re a mere youngster compared to some of us !
anyways, hope you’re not nursing too much of a sore head this morning after that double celebration yesterday – nice planning on your parent’s part to make sure no-one ever forgets your birthday 😆
[lovely pic, by the way – you look gorgeous !]
Thanks Duncan. I have a surprisingly clear head today. The sun is shining and I’m off to lunch to continue my celebrations. This is the birthday that keeps on giving. 😄
Such an Irish thing being named Patricia (or Patrick)! Same as Noel/Noelle in December ha! Great post 🙂
Isn’t it just. Thank you.
I hope you had a wonderful birthday and that the good times continue xx
Ahh… Happy Birthday Tric.
We share something in common: You’re a St Patrick’s Day baby and I am a St Valentine’s Day one. And we both have unimaginative parents when it comes to baby-naming!! 😉
Oh I never twigged that one about you. Thanks a mil. Now I will hopefully remember your birthday. 🙂
Belated Happy Birthday Tric!
Thanks Aidan.
Happiest of birthdays to you Tric 🙂 xxx
Thanks a mil. I enjoyed it and thankfully not too much if you know what I mean. 🙂
Happy Birthday! What a wonderful reflection and decision to lighten up and enjoy. This is a wonderful stage of life and you inspired me to enjoy my time in Heaven. I love the picture with your brother. Great smile. 🙂
Thanks. Welcome to Heaven. Yes that photo reminds me of how content I am. 🙂
Happy (belated) birthday, I hope you really enjoyed your day x
Thanks Naomi. It’s been a great week and friends tell me there’s a couple more nights out planned over the next couple of weeks. The birthday which keeps on giving.
belated Happy birthday to you 🙂 & Happy st. Patrick’s day… Wish you have a wonderful, happy & healthy year ahead. Enjoy a heavenly life. 😉
Thank you. I’m hoping to have not only a birthday to remember but a whole year. 🙂
🙂 May you have a wonderful year ahead dear one… Amen
Belated Happy Birthday!
Thank you.