CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE

By Staff

March 1st, 2010

CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE

There seems to be a lot going on right now. Basketball fans are in a tizzy about the pending championship games. The Stanley Cup is being polished up. NASCAR fans are walking around with grins from ear to ear as stock cars are again racing around and around in circles. There is also the Academy Awards, which will enthrall thespians, while music fans, after the Grammy Awards were handed out a few weeks ago, are gearing up for the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Let’s not forget the many regulation decisions facing the transportation industry at the moment. Freight tonnage keeps fluctuating, hours of service is in discussion (or is that settled now – or will it ever be settled?) and new weight restrictions are pending (“Chew on This,” Page 26). Our federal government has multiple issues with millions of people hoping for good and wise decisions in their own interest as well as the country’s. I’m sure there are plenty of other issues and awards in the worlds of government, entertainment, sports and more that will have eyes and ears glued to all forms of media in the next few weeks.

However, this time of the year brings with it one day where many take a deep breath and relax, even if for just a few minutes. To be sure if it’s not the grandest day of the year where lads and lasses will dance a jig and shamrocks will be a-flyin’. March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day, which will bring with it the ability for all who celebrate to find their inner Irishman or Irishwoman. Challenge Magazine has even managed to find healthy green food this month for you to consider adding to your diet (“Taking Care of Yourself,” Page 14).

It amazes me to see and hear of the number of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations there are across the world. The enormous celebrations in Savannah, Ga., Chicago and, of course, New York City, are no surprise. With festivities in countries such as Japan, Germany, Australia and even remote islands such as Fiji, perhaps St. Patrick’s Day really is celebrated by more nationalities than any other holiday.

It truly is no surprise to me, after touring through Ireland years ago and meeting many of the wonderful people, that countries adopt this national holiday and celebrate. Particularly considering the history of this war-torn, embattled country, Irish folk have an amazing love for just about anything, everything and everyone. They are welcoming (céad míle fáilte is Gaelic for a hundred thousand welcomes), friendly and certainly enjoy their national pastime: throwing back a Guinness or two.

It will not matter that I have no Irish blood as everybody is Irish on St. Patty’s Day. I know there will still be concerns about health care, the ATA will report about tonnage rising or falling and I’ll scratch my head at the odd decisions the government makes in its attempts to bolster unemployment rates. But for a few hours or so on March 17, I’ll put on my green shirt, eat Irish stew, listen to the folk songs and even enjoy a pint of Guinness or two. I’ll let those concerns rest. They will be waiting for me on the 18th.