Everybody Is Irish

I had my DNA analyzed a while back, so I can say with certainty that I am some part Irish.  I am not as Irish as I expected though.  One of my grandma's had an Irish last name.  It seems a lot of common English people married into that family because it was a little Irish, but not the high percent that I expected.

But, today everybody is Irish.  And to many that means they drink, often to the point of inebriation. To most it means they pull some green item out of the closet.  To the most dedicated it means they eat corned beef and cabbage. I had that once.  It wasn't bad, but not something I pine for.

But, it is after all, Saint Patrick's Day and it might be worth considering that.  St Patrick was English, captured and taken as a slave to Ireland.  He is said to have become a devote Christian during his captivity. It seems the reverse to many people who abandon faith when they experience adversity.  He didn't drive the snakes out of Ireland, but he did work to convert the country to Christianity. He was a dreamer and a visionary. He escaped captivity and returned after he had become a priest to be a missionary to the people where he had been held a slave.  It is a complicated story. 

It seems sad to me that so many people celebrate St Pat's day but know so little of the saint or the religion he devoted his life to.  I might wear green today. I won't be eating corned beef and cabbage.  I won't be hoisting a glass of anything except water.  But, it my own way I will think of St Patrick and the faith that me share.