St. Patrick's Day in America

St. Patrick's Day Parade in Detroit - Photo by Frank Nemecek

St. Patrick's Day.

Here in America, St. Patrick's Day has become a holiday where we celebrate Irish heritage - regardless of whether or not one is of Irish decent - with Czech and German beers as well as food first cooked by a Jewish guy. All of which is done on the feast day of a saint who was born in Scotland to Italian parents.

And that, I believe, says a lot about the Irish American experience.

It all started on the Emerald Island. However, it has been heavily influenced by everyone that the Irish have encountered along the way.

Happy St. Patrick's Day, everyone! As someone whose family traces its roots, at least in part, back to Ireland, I hope you have a blast no matter how you celebrate it or with whom.