We are five grand children in my mom’s side of the family. My youngest cousin who was born in the United States is named Patrick. My grandmother told me that he was named Patrick because he was born on March 16, a day before St. Patrick’s Day. A few years later, I learned that St. Patrick’s Day was a big deal not just to Christians but to a lot of people in the United States too. Last March, several department stores and bakeshops were selling St. Patricks gift baskets which consisted mostly of shamrock and other cookies colored in green.

St. Patrick’s Day is on May 17, if it falls on a Sunday, then the celebration is moved to the Monday after. In many cities in the United States, St. Patrick’s Day is a big holiday. There are parades in Boston and New York where people are dressed in green. The Chicago river is dyed green on St. Patrick’s Day. Irish pubs are full and people who party on that day usually come with St. Patrick’s gift baskets.