Irish Blessings

Mar 13, 2026

Getting closer to Saint Patrick’s Day, the annual flood of one hundred shades of green have washed over the aisles and end caps in every chain store. Shamrocks galore, glittering pots of gold, Irish puns printed across t-shirts, and per usual, the tacky green Mardi Gras beads with oversized four leaf clover charms.

Though I’ve always felt more kin to my elder paternal relatives and Italian heritage, my mother is Irish. Her maiden name was notably Gaelic, and her mother’s maiden name was drenched in Hibernian descent; even after their forefathers’ pond jump had updated it to the Americanized spelling. On both sides of her familial tree, ancestors hailed from Shannon and County Cork. My Mother and my Aunt were even born in the same year, earning them the title of Irish Twins. Yet, unfortunately for our shared heritage, I think living in close proximity to South Boston caused me to grow an aversion to all things Irish Pride.

And Dropkick Murphys, for that matter.

Still, growing up my Mom said my sister and I were her Irish blessings. A proverb which means quite literally;

“When counting my blessings, I count you twice.”

Whenever she said it, I felt proud to be my mothers daughter. But Ireland had absolutely nothing to do with it. So it didn’t stop me from donning the most obnoxious and over-the-top Dublin accent while mockingly replying, “Aye, and may the road rise to meet ya, dear Mother.”

Normally, I walk right by the phony Saint Patrick’s Day merchandise without giving it a second glance. However, as I stood in line at the Wal-Mart self checkout aisle, my eyes began to roam. Landing on the holiday edition canvas totes, I was drawn to one in particular.

“Lucky? Blessed.”

I scoffed, rolling my eyes.

But, whatever the rhyme or reason, I glanced back to read it again.

And again.

As I marched forward in line where the bag was no longer in plain view, I found myself repeating those two words in my mind. A mantra unfolding.

Lucky? Step forward. Blessed.

Lucky? Sipping my iced coffee. Blessed.

Lucky? “Next customer!” Blessed.

Lucky? Looking down at the nonessential crafting items that filled my cart. Blessed.

Lucky? New text from my partner. “Love u”

Blessed.

And this time…I counted him twice.