I think we all can admit that it’s been a rather unlucky year (especially with the recent one-year anniversary of Covid), but I believe we are in store for some GOOD luck (finally). Today, St. Patrick’s Day, is big on luck, after all. See a rainbow? You may be blessed enough to find that pot of gold. Discover a four-leaf clover? You lucky duck! And if you have Irish heritage, then you most certainly have the luck of the Irish with you today. This holiday is all about celebrating and letting good fortune come your way. It also feels like a hopeful turning point in the streak of bad luck that we’ve experienced; we’ve certainly been down on luck, but I think luck is on the up and up once again.
Last St. Patrick’s Day, I believe Patrick and I drank Irish coffees in our home, watched rugby, and maybe wore green? I can’t really remember to be honest (which tells you that it was pretty mellow). In past years, we have thrown St. Patrick’s Day parties (we are the O’Briens so we have to represent, right?) which have been a blast. Until last year, I don’t think that we had ever spent the holiday by ourselves. Today, we are fortunate that numbers are way down and we will be able to see a few friends and celebrate with a Guinness and an Irish meal. Last year, there didn’t seem to be a whole lot of luck to be found, but this year, I feel like lady luck is making her grand entrance again. I know that I’ve been feeling luckier lately.
My Irish-luck moment happened last week when I was in the right place at the right time. Patrick was able to get his first vaccine dose last Thursday, and on Friday night, I stopped by a CVS pharmacy. I spoke with the woman working about possibly getting on their end-of-the-day cancellation list. That’s when she said, “Hold on” and went to speak with the pharmacist. She returned and told me that seconds before I spoke with her they had someone call and cancel. It was their last shot of the day and I would be able to receive it right then and there. I am not exaggerating when I say that I almost cried. I profusely thanked her and repeated how grateful I was. She said, “I know, you are so lucky that someone literally just called,” and I agreed. It was a perfect example of sheer dumb luck.
I was feeling over the moon as I drove home by the beach, and then I looked over and saw a rainbow. A fricken rainbow. I can’t make this stuff up. At that moment, maybe I should have tried to go wrangle a pot of gold – missed opportunity. I pulled over and walked on the beach. The sun was beginning to set, the sky was filled with gorgeous pink clouds, sail boats were gliding by out on the water, and the rainbow seemed to pop out of the ocean. It was unreal. I was filled with gratitude and an appreciation of the good fortune that I was having. It was a universal sign that things are going to get better. Even though the sun was setting, I only felt optimism for the next day (and days).
Although I feel like I’ve already had my allotted share of Irish luck, I believe that this St. Patrick’s Day will call in the luck that we’ve all been hoping for and expecting. It couldn’t be more timely to have this holiday when luck seems to be on the rise. Cases are down, businesses are opening back up, vaccinations/vaccine availability is increasing, days are longer, and events and travel can (slowly) start to be penciled in on calendars again.
Now that luck is back in our favor, we better do our best to welcome her. So everyone wear your green, try to discover an elusive leprechaun, chase a rainbow, dance a jig (Irish whiskey can help with this), and search nearby fields for shamrocks. I’m feeling lucky, but I’ll still take all the luck we can get. I hope you all can celebrate today and steer clear of any unlucky pinching. Wishing you all this Irish blessing: “For each petal on the shamrock, this brings a wish your way. Good health, good luck, and happiness for today and every day!” Cheers (Sláinte) and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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