03/17/2026
St. Patrick's Day has mixed feelings for sure for many.
I view it as a day to celebrate my culture.
I view it as a day of celebration for the survival of my family
I view it as a day that my family survived a lot of hardships. Way before the Irish famine my family had issues with the Protestants trying to push us out. And eventually they did. They really wanted us gone. Dead. Lots of bloodshed from this, and then a loving couple bringing over not only their own kids but the children of their deceased siblings who died during the skirmishes just trying to save their own property.
It's gone way beyond a Catholic holiday for us.
Even when I say the title of it, I really could care less about the saint. Maybe that's as it should be. But I will still say to you today " Happy Saint Patrick's Day". Not as an acknowledgment towards a person, but as a smile and a nod of deep knowing, understanding and acknowledging of the beauty of all of our stories of survival. An acknowledgment of the sacrifice love calls us to. Today's a family day for me. A day to spend with the living and a day to spend with the dead. I don't normally do any readings on this day ever but I'm doing one for a long-time client who really wanted me to. Then it's off to spend time with family!
"Gum biodh ballachan agad an-còmhnaidh airson na gaoithe, mullach airson na h-uisge, tì ri taobh an teine, gàire gus do bhrosnachadh, an fheadhainn air a bheil gaol agad faisg ort, agus a h-uile rud a dh’ fhaodadh do chridhe a bhith ag iarraidh."
"May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you, and all your heart might desire".
❤️🙏🕊️☘️Chris McBrien
