St. Patrick's Day

These are the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, Ireland. I have an Irish friend whose great-great grandfather sailed from here in 1849, running from the famine to a new life in America. As their ship passed the great cliffs, his mother turned to her 10-year old boy and said, "Look at those and remember, for you'll never see them in this life again." He died at 100 in 1939, and he never returned to Ireland.

To many of us, St. Patrick's Day is shamrocks and green beer, but to Irish-Americans, it's a day to celebrate exile and survival. It's a good day to remember that we're a nation of immigrants, some arriving early and others late. We have a lovely greeting card from Harriett and Rom Sidoli on this theme. Please enjoy St. Pat's Day, and also the approach of spring!