Happy St. Patrick's Day!
My dad, Joe, may he Rest in Peace, did not need much of an excuse to celebrate anything! He as was an alcoholic and passed away all to young because of it. Like many of you my childhood was scared for all time. We all share as "Adult Children on Alcoholics" those feelings. It sure is a "thing" I did not recognize till it was almost to late! I thought my dad's problem was his not mine. Luckily I discovered just in time it was mine too, and got help, that saved me! But there were some good times too. Joe always said "St. Patty's Day is every Irishman's second birthday!" He would always come home happy with a goofy hat like this on and was in a good mood, unlike most nights! So at least St. Patrick's Day was always a good special day!
Tomorrow my wife and I will celebrate the day. It is Lent, but the Bishop in GB, had given us a Dispensation (no meat on Friday) so we can have our Corned Beef and Cabbage our traditional meal! I love it a couple times a year. If you are Irish, "Happy Birthday!" However, to all of us, here is another Joe and old Irish saying, "May you be in Heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead! Amen!"
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In Ireland last September the "Old Celts (Irish)" told me a few times "Fitzgerald and Fitz anything" is not Irish or Celtic at all! I immediately protested and said, "I have been told my entire life I am Irish! Everyone knows John Fitzgerald Kennedy was 100% Irish!" They were quick to tell me that prior to 1066 AD there were NO Fitz's in Ireland or England! Fitz's are actually Norman (French) and we came to England with William the Conqueror as Norman Nights. We then came to Ireland with the English to help kick the Vikings out of Ireland in about 1150 AD. Many of us stayed, which was a problem as the Irish said to many of us stayed! It was then spelled FitzGerald. Later when Cromwell tried to convert all the Irish to Anglican the Fitz's that remained Catholic changed the "G" to "g" in protest and to tell your neighbors which side you were on. So even today in Ireland FitzGerald means you are Orange ( Protestant, Pro-Ulster and England) and Fitzgerald means you are Green (Catholic, Pro-Republic, and maybe anti-English).
So it does seem old "William the Bastard" his second name, changed a lot things in British and Irish History!
Happy and sober St Patrick’s Day to you my friend. And thank you for the history lesson.
