For me, having a birthday on a holiday is an extra special feeling particularly on the holiday I decided to make my entrance – ST. PATRICK’S DAY!! It was March 17, 1969 at 4:36 a.m. and there I was. I decided to let Wheeling know I arrived.
I was the first baby born at the old Wheeling Hospital in North Wheeling on that day, so my mother and I managed to make the front page of the newspaper. Mom still hates that picture because she didn’t even have time to do her hair! So, out of respect for her feelings on that matter, I will not post that particular photo. And, yes, my parents picked my name before they knew I would come in to the world on St. Patrick’s Day.
Throughout my childhood, every birthday party I ever had was adorned with green wrapping paper, decorations and party favors. I always wore green and had a collection of Shamrocks that should have made me the luckiest person in the world.
Green cake, green shakes, green punch, every year, green, green, green, green, green. So many times friends, relatives, and even strangers, when they found out it was my birthday, would shout “Erin Go Bragh.” To me, growing up, that was their way of saying Happy Birthday. The best part of this holiday/birthday gig was I shared this birthday with my maternal Grandmother. How lucky is that? I must have had some good timing and we both must have been lucky.
When I hit the age of 17, I worked part-time afterschool for the Wheeling News Register and they decided to pull out my birth picture that had appeared on the front page in 1969 and do another photo shoot for me turning 17 on the 17th. Once again, I managed to make the front page of the newspaper, sporting my green. Good times!
As I aged, I finally admitted, I really don’t care much for the color green. In fact, you would rarely see me wear it or own anything in that color. I do not like green shakes. I do not like green beer. There is only one kind of green I am quite fond of as I think we all are and that’s the kind you spend. Is all this kissing for good luck and pinching to ward off the little sprites necessary?
When my son was very little he understood that my birthday was always celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day and one day in his little voice he asked if we were part Leprechaun.
I laughed so hard, I cried. I mean we are a mischievous bunch, but much taller than that!
Sharing this day with my Grandmother made me feel extra special over the years and never has been the same since she passed two years ago now, but it will forever remain a great birthday because there’s no feeling like the world is celebrating with you.
There are some very special people born in March. Some, right here, that I am lucky enough to get to see every day.
To all my co-workers and friends, here at Bordas & Bordas with March Birthdays, Michele Rejonis, March 3rd, Jay Stoneking, March 8th, Corey Pietranton, March 14th, Jamie Bordas, March 21st, and Billy Teufel, March 26th – HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And, to each and every one of you:
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY and May the Luck O’ the Irish be with you
;)
