17 Mar Slice of Life: Luck of the Irish… or Not!
My mom loved holidays! St. Patrick’s Day was one of her favorites. She was always decked out in green – novelty turtleneck and all! I will always remember the year she died my hair green…
You see I went to Catholic school so wearing green was not really an option. We wore a uniform and it was blue, gray and yellow. I could sport a pin or green ribbons in my hair, but it wasn’t enough for my mom. This year she wanted to go all out!
The night before St. Patrick’s Day operation green hair ensued. My mom had the entire bathroom set up so we could die my hair. I was so excited I could barely hold still as worked it through my hair.
Will it wash out?
Yes with a few shampoos.
Will we see it with my hair?
I think so.
Will my teachers mind?
Why would they?
Well with picture day tomorrow…
PICTURE DAY!
The scrubbing began and soon my hair was almost back to normal.
Don’t worry. We will put your hair in pigtails and no one will be the wiser!
Picture day went off without a hitch and without green!
I think back on this story every year as I plan how I will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Today, I am wearing my mom’s favorite Irish pin, claddagh ring and green dress. I won’t be dyeing anyone’s hair, but I will spread some luck of the Irish around the house!
Clare
Thank you to Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Anna, Beth, Kathleen, and Deb for this space for us to share our stories each day in March. Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read more Slice of Life posts and consider joining this community.
Maribeth
Posted at 10:22h, 17 MarchOh, gosh how I could see the nuns had you shown up to school with luck-o-the-Irish-green hair! good laugh! thanks for a fun post!
Clare and Tammy
Posted at 23:48h, 17 MarchI hadn’t even pictured the nuns when I wrote this – but now I am thinking of Sr. Joanne and Sr. Pauline!!
Janie
Posted at 10:29h, 17 MarchYour mom is a brave one – not to worry about the nuns! What a fun memory.
Lynne Dorfman
Posted at 11:01h, 17 MarchClare – You had me laughing this morning! I just love the way you reveal that it was PICTURE DAY! Great story, great photos. You really are timeless – you look exactly like your picture now minus the pigtails! What fun to spread the luck of the Irish around your house and by wearing your mom’s ring, pin, and favorite green dress. Clare, you honor your mom in so many ways. I can see how close you were with her. This is a wonderful tribute on this Saint Patrick’s Day! Thanks so much for sharing.
Clare and Tammy
Posted at 23:49h, 17 MarchIt was a gift to be her memory these past few years — I learned a lot and it is fun to capture these moments. We were very close! Thanks
Clare
Kimberley Moran
Posted at 11:08h, 17 MarchLove this post. I don’t get St Patrick’s day because I have no Irish blood in me. But you make it look so much more fun!
Cathy
Posted at 11:15h, 17 MarchHilarious! That takes the wearing of the green to a new level. I’m pretty impressed that your hair was back to normal the next day.
Clare and Tammy
Posted at 23:49h, 17 MarchI think it was barely in before she started scrubbing it out.
Clare
Christine Baldiga
Posted at 11:56h, 17 MarchClare,
How fun! I must admit I was a little disappointed when you revealed your secret because I wanted to see you in green hair! Glad that your picture day story had a happy ending.
It reminds me of a similar story with not so good of an ending. One Halloween, my daughter and her best friend decided to dress as each other. My daughter dyed her red hair black hair. The box said color shampoos out in 6 washings! Well… not so with an Irish red head. It took two years to get the “wash in – wash out” black dye out completely. Needless to say, she hid that from her grandmother who adored her Irish locks! Every time she visited her in the nursing home Julie wore a hat!
Karen Szymusiak
Posted at 12:26h, 17 MarchWhat a fun post! I went to a Catholic school as well and that green hair would not have been OK! So funny that it turned out to be picture day. Love the picture of little you in your pig tails. I have loved reading the posts about your mom. I can feel so much love. Missing my mom who passed away two years ago. It isn’t easy.
Paula Ruedebusch
Posted at 12:27h, 17 MarchI remember those ribbons made of that fat yarn!
Clare and Tammy
Posted at 23:50h, 17 MarchI know – right!! Totally forgot about those.
Rose
Posted at 12:33h, 17 MarchI love everything about this post – the story, the picture, the tradition. My Catholic school uniform was green and our team name was the Shamrocks, so no worries there. But you reminded me of how my best friend and I would celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with handmade cards and pretended we were Irish by changing our names! Thanks for the morning smile.
Clare and Tammy
Posted at 23:51h, 17 MarchGreen hair would have worked for you — I found myself laughing as I wrote it too.
Clare
Cindy
Posted at 15:18h, 17 MarchHow fun! And finding out that picture day was involved – even better!
Karen
Posted at 16:55h, 17 MarchOkay, first, that picture looks exactly like you now! Love it!
Then your story – two parts stuck out. First, the green hair, no whoops, it’s picture day! So funny!
But the biggest thing I noticed was how you are carrying on your mom’s love of St. Patrick’s Day. Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!
Tara
Posted at 22:04h, 17 MarchWhat a great story! I love that you’ve spread the Irish cheer around your house today.
Clare and Tammy
Posted at 23:51h, 17 MarchEvery year I do something – less elaborate as they have gotten older … but the magic continues.
Clare
Melanie Meehan
Posted at 00:03h, 18 MarchYou were one cute kid, Clare, and green hair for picture day would have been funny. But really–who plans picture day on March 17th??? I should have had the leprechauns come, but mornings are so early around here. It’s fun to hear what others are doing.
Stacey Shubitz
Posted at 01:34h, 18 MarchAw, c’mon! I was hoping to see a present day photo of you with green hair! 😉
This is an adorable story about the way you celebrated as a child. Thanks for sharing it with us. Hope you had a magical St. Patty’s Day, Clare.