Beannacht Lá Fhéile Pádrai

"Nil aon tintean mar do thintean fein."

There's no fireside like your own fireside.

Personally, St. Patrick's Day is magic.

"St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time -- a day to begin transforming
winter's dreams into summer's magic."~~By Adrienne Cook.

and it's a day of most cherished of memories

Dublin's Lord Mayor (& wife) presenting my father (mom by his side) as the
director of the Snohomish High School marching band with the first place
award for best overall performance - Dublin's Patrick's Day Parade 1996.

but sadly on this day my Scottish family
buries my dear mother-in-law who passed away last week
after her two month battle with cancer.

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I follow the plan God laid for me.
I saw his face, I heard his call,
I took his hand and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
to love, to laugh, to work or play;
tasks left undone may stay that way
and if my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
ah yes, these things I too shall miss.
My life's been full, I've savored much;
good times, good friends, a loved-one's touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
don't shorten yours with undue grief.
Be not burdened with tears of sorrow,
enjoy the sunshine of the morrow.

Dearest Ethel -

May your glass ner'er be empty,
and your tea pot ner'er be cold.
May our memories sustain us here on earth
until we meet again,
in the highlands of heaven.

{go forth and live responsibly}
live * love * laugh
Sláinte

photo credits;steelguitarforum.com; eyefetch.com; travelpod.com; ireland-fun-facts.com