They say on St. Patrick's Day everyone's Irish....

...I don't agree. I mean, well, everyone wishes they were Irish..but not all are..or even close.

I can say this with conviction because I'm as close to 100% Irish as they come. Both sets of grandparents came over on the boat from Ireland.

My mother's maiden name was Sullivan and she married a Sullivan. (every time someone has asked what my Mothers maiden name was and I say "Sullivan" they look at me in a "oh your poor pitiful DUMB person!"way and say,"No, Hun, the name you mother had before she was married.."

Duh...I KNOW what 'maiden' name means..really..

Then they look at me like some sort of in-breed and I have to say .."they were from 2 separate clans of Sullivan's and according to my Mother, hers was "lace curtain" Irish and Daddy's was "damn shanty Irish"..

They just look now even more suspicious, wondering which one I am..or wondering why this getting-all-too-irate person is still in their line...

I am trying to be "lace curtain" but my temper is getting shorter and I think I may have more of the "damn shanty-Irish" genes in me...

bygones.

Anyway, here is a neat article from when my sister Kathy (Kathleen) was born/baptized. The newspapers heard about the whole Sullivan thing - then, as if by chance (?) she was delivered by Dr. Sullivan and baptized by Father Sullivan (neither a relation - at least to our knowledge...) Godparents were both Sullivan's although from different sides..neither related to the other - at least to our knowledge...and my Mother's grandmother, Margaret Sullivan married a man named Patrick Sullivan...Geesh....

The paper is almost like a fragile leaf - crisp and delicate. I have it under glass and have made copies of it for future generations - it is very interesting. We don't know who wrote "Mary" on it but I have a feeling it was Kathy, maybe later when someone showed it to someone and it was left out...I'm sure it was her Father's damn-shanty-Irish comin' out...

So, while everyone else may be an "Irish-wannabe" , we are the real-deal. And proud of it.

After all, the Irish invented the giggles. And red cheeks.. And laughing at themsleves..and everyone else... and great story telling...and strong, beautiful women, and big, strappin' men. When we're happy we sing...when we're sad, we sing louder.

And I am very proud, not just today, but everyday, to be a part of the best heritage on earth..(oh, we're very humble as well...)

So, for your reading pleasure, I give you a few Irish jokes....

Have you heard about the Irish boomerang? It doesn't come back, it just sings songs about how much it wants to.

There was this guy who was 1/2 Irish, 1/2 Scottish. He wanted a drink but he couldn't bring himself to buy one....

Q: What's Irish and stays out all night in the summertime?

A: Paddy O'Furniture!

So from all of us Sullivan's' and my grandchildren, Brian James, Connor Michael, Alyssa Marie, Emily Amanda and Ella Ireland, we all say....

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!!

-me