The Shamrock

In 2 days it is St Patrick’s Day.  Did you know that St Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish Christian converts?  The leaves symbolize the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit and are said to represent faith, hope and love.  The shamrock is extra special to me because – not only does it represent St Patrick’s Day (on March 17) – but it’s meaning and symbolism represent my one and only shamrock – my husband.

You’re the four leaf clover… Rare to find, but lucky to have… Anonymous

St Patrick’s Day is a couple days away and I’m sure you have spotted shamrocks decorating store fronts and homes all around.  I love shamrocks – or the more common name… clovers.  I remember as a child searching the lawn to find that lucky 4-leafed clover.  Although I never found one.  After reading the meaning of the shamrock, they mean so much more now.  

Faith Hope Love

These 3 words are certainly words to live by.  Having faith in something bigger, having hope for the future and having a loving heart to share with others are 3 of the most important traits/characteristics you could endure. 

These 3 traits are what I try to live by each day and are also what makes the core of my one and only shamrock… my husband.  What makes it extra special is that St Patrick’s Day is also my husband’s birthday.  This year is extra special because it also represents the Golden Year for him.  Yes… like myself… he has now taken 50 trips around the sun.  

Some interesting facts about the Shamrock:

• It is considered the national plant of Ireland.
• It is taken from the Irish word ‘seamrog’ meaning little or young clover.
• St Patrick is said to have used the shamrock to illustrate the Holy Trinity  – father son and holy spirit when he first began to convert the Irish to Christianity.  
• It was traditionally used for medicinal reasons – boiled and mixed with pork fat to treat inflammation of the joints.
• The President of the United States is always presented with a bowl of shamrocks on St Patrick’s day.  The tradition began in 1952 when a box of shamrocks was brought to the White House by the Irish Ambassador John Joseph Hearne – as a gift to President Harry Truman – who was not home to receive it.  The shamrock was left with a member of the President’s staff.  It is now an official ceremony that takes place every year. 
• When a wave of Irish immigrants came to the US in the 18^th century, there were no shamrocks growing in New York or Boston, so they celebrated their heritage with the colour green and images of the shamrock.

If you read into the above list, you will find the trinity of Faith Hope and Love within those facts.  The Irish had faith in their beloved shamrock linking them to God.  They had hope in the possibility of healing joint inflammation and they had love in bringing their traditions to the ‘new world’ and sharing it with others.  

Faith Hope and Love – as mentioned previously – are also important traits of my incredible husband.  We are so blessed to have such a strong, courageous, faithful, hopeful, loving husband, dad, brother son, and son-in-law amongst us.  

Since my amazing husband is turning 50, Here are 50 Amazing Qualities And/Or Ways He Shows His Love Each and Every Day!

1. He is a servant of God – helping others daily
2. He uplifts anyone who comes in contact with him
3. He is gorgeous
4. He is funny
5. He is a gift piano player
6. He is incredibly smart
7. He is extremely fit
8. He will drop everything to help out his family
9. He is patient
10. He is faithful
11. He is talented at building anything out of wood
12. He is meticulous at tasks
13. He can make his sister laugh hard
14. He is adventurous
15. He brings me coffee (or tea) in the morning
16. He makes lunches (or any meal actually) look so pretty
17. He is sensitive
18. He isn’t afraid to ask for help
19. He will help a neighbour in need
20. He will find the answer if he doesn’t know it off hand
21. He can sing so sweetly
22. He loves to meet new people
23. He is extremely gifted at speaking/communicating
24. He makes me feel like a princess daily
25. He is loyal
26. He is a great friend
27. He is fun
28. He is trustworthy
29. He is an excellent leader
30. He appreciates others
31. He is driven and goes after his dreams
32. He is rightous
33. He is respectful
34. He loves God
35. He is kindhearted
36. He is not a proud or arrogant person
37. He is extremely supportive
38. He is an amazing dad
39. He is accountable
40. He is a great listener
41. He will do the chores I dislike
42. He is grateful
43. He is perfect in every way
44. He is spontaneous
45. He has a gift at encouraging
46. He has a gorgeous smile
47. He is inspiring
48. He is a dreamer
49. He is a great teacher
50. He is the centre-piece of our family

I could go on and on with amazing qualities, stories, and characteristics of my birthday leprechaun as the list is forever unending with the amount of love I have in my heart for this special man.  

So, my dear lucky Shamrock, as you go about your day today, I have Faith that your day will be filled with joy and laughter. I Hope that you feel appreciated and special and I have no doubt that Love will be poured into your heart from your family and friends (and maybe even some strangers along the way).  Happy birthday to you, my amazing husband and best friend.  As stated in a previous blog, 50 is not only the golden year, but it’s about new beginnings and I’m so excited to experience the next leg in our lives together creating new adventures and loving life as one.