Luck of the Irish

St. Patty's Day. I grew up in Savannah, GA, and it is a huge holiday there. It was surprising to me that the rest of the country actually goes to school on St. Patrick's Day, because in Savannah it is a school holiday. The fountains in the squares are dyed green, the massive parade lasts all day, and mayhem begins on the river at night. 

Growing up redheaded, everyone assumes you're Irish. And on this holiday in particular, people comment even more about how Irish we must be. Chris never knew his genealogy, but a redhead with the last name Holohan...well, what else could he be? 

Finding his biological family has been a whirlwind of happiness and excitement. But he never expected to find out that he is, in fact, Scottish. Being Scottish is not a bad thing at all, as my Outlander-loving friends would agree! It's a weird thing though...finding out that your roots aren't what you always thought they were. 

Roots: the basic cause, source, or origin of something. 

Or someone. When I think of roots, I think of a tree that has been bent by the wind or twisted by disrupting objects. Those things that happen during the tree's life can never change its roots. The roots just are...never changing, only growing deeper with time. 

For Chris it was a bit shocking to hear that the roots that have grown deep within him aren't his by blood. So does that mean his concept of his self has been uprooted? 

Not at all! Consider the Redwoods...the most remarkable trees on earth, strengthened by the entwined roots of the others. Chris is a Holohan, Irish by his family that he's known for as long as he can remember. Those roots haven't changed or weakened with his recent findings. He is growing new roots. Not to replace the deeply sown roots he has always had, but to twist and add to the person he is, making him stronger and richer in family than he has ever been!

So today he celebrates his Irish heritage alongside our Holohan family, and our ginger kids will proudly accept kisses all day long. Happy Saint Patrick's Day!