For the month of March , I will be participating in the Slice of Life Challenge (#sol19) sponsored by Two Writing Teachers. I will be slicing each day for 31 days inspired by my work as a literacy specialist and coach, my life, and my fellow bloggers.
(Saint) Patrick #sol19
March 17, 2019
Your Irish name was chosen for you before birth. Patrick from your own father. A strong Irish name. Francis from both generations in your grandfather’s family and your grandmother.
Your Irish name was chosen for you before birth. What a surprise how well it fit you. Those big blue eyes filling that face right from the start paired with that dark hair. So Irish, though I suspect that dark hair was your mother’s DNA. Pale skin with a sprinkle of freckles round out that Irish face.
Your Irish name was chosen for you before birth bringing with it a saint’s day celebrated by the world. This was good for you, for you love a good party and being right in the center. Many St. Patrick’s Day celebration when you were too young for green beer involved Green River, green clothes, green cookies or green frosted cupcakes. There were Lucky Charms and soda bread and always, always, treats for your class.
Your Irish name was chosen for you before birth-full on Irish. An identity to hold on to. The identity of generations of your family. A people.
Your Irish name was chosen for you before birth, but it has always been your name. It fits you just like it should…perfectly.
Reflections from a Coach 
OH MY – you know I love this -!!! The name, of course. And you wrote so beautifully; there’s a delightful rhythm in it, like a heartbeat. He is BEAUTIFUL. For the record: My name is really Frances, it was my grandmother’s middle name, after her Papa, Francis. -Just reiterates our kinship! 🙂
Total kinship. For the record this Patrick has long since grown into a 31 year old man.
It’s fantastic nevertheless! And a lovely gift for him. 🙂
I too love the rhythm of this slice – the repetition as well as the flow. I hope you show it to him! My favorite line is:This was good for you for you love a good party and being right in the center. Says so much about him in a few words. I am named after County and Saint Clare … Happy St. Pat’s day!
The repetition really made this piece shine, as well as your love for your Patrick. Thank you for slicing.
What a sweet, loving post. And those wonderful pictures!
This is an awesome post. I love the pictures! My favorite line – “Many St. Patrick’s Day celebration when you were too young for green beer involved Green River, green clothes, green cookies or green frosted cupcakes.” This made me smile. The perfect post for St. Patrick’s Day. Thank you for sharing. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I love the repetition and the photos.
The refrain was so powerful. Great name for what sounds like a great kid!
The repetition works. I love that even though his name was chosen before birth, it fits him. I loved the pictures… those freckles!
He doesn’t look much like that now.
Eyes still blue, clear & sharp like the voice in this slice?
I hope so.
Sometime we forget just how special a name is. I love how you repeat the first part of each paragraph. It strengthens the bond between boy and name.
This is great, and we’re thinking alike today. I just finished my slice for tomorrow, and it’s about a Pat in my life. It’s so interesting how some people come to fit a name that preceded anyone’s knowledge of what they would become.
I love the repetition in this slice. It’s full of love as well. Nice meeting you yesterday 😀
And you. I’ve been following your writing.
Love this… as I have my own (not so saint) Patrick! Love the rhythm and cadence. It tells a story and is a wonderful ode to your son.
Love how the repetition pulled me along and the pictures allowed me to watch Patrick grow up (just a little bit) before my eyes. Happy St. PATRICK’s day to you and your Patrick.
you didn’t see the current version ofPatrick who is now 31.
How clever that Patrick would have been born on St. Patrick’s Day! I bet he’s always felt special on his birthday. 🙂
This is an interesting slice because my brother’s name is Patrick, with strong Irish roots from both my sides of my family AND my twin sisters in law were born today. A slice with many meanings, all revolving around family.
I like it. 🙂