All Around Pennsauken

By Judith Kristen, AAP Columnist

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!!

I say that with such a smile on my face you’d think I was actually Irish. Although I’m of Scandinavian descent, I was surrounded all of my life by the joy, love, happiness and friendship of many an Irish friend and family: the Mehaffeys, McGees, Duffys, Carrolls, Malloys… you get the picture.

And knowing these lovely people as I did, I can truly say I’m a witness to the fact that indeed, “When Irish Eyes are smiling, sure they steal your heart away.”

A trip to Ireland when I was in my 20s sealed it all up for me and I realized the joy, the humor and wit, and the compassion and love weren’t just designed for the Irish folk I knew here in America. It’s part of who they are deep down in their DNA.

I don’t think I ever smiled as much or laughed as much as I did on that first trip to the Emerald Isle.

I stopped at local pubs, shops, traveled in a cab, and on local transportation, and everyone everywhere had a story or a joke to tell. I thought it was fabulous!

Here’s one for starters:

“What’s wrong with Murphy?” asked Father O’Brien.

“I don’t know, Father,” answered Mrs. Murphy. “Yesterday he swallowed a spoon and he hasn’t stirred since.”

Now here’s a true story.

A very tall, thin fellah stopped in at a pub where I was having lunch. He looked more than a bit worse for wear. And I noticed that he came in to deliver some paperwork to the owner. The fellah’s name was Owen O’Malley. A pub local told me that Owen had lost his job and was doing all kinds of odds and ends to keep his family alive and well until he found decent employment again.

I invited him over to our table as he was about to leave. I didn’t want the man to know he looked like a hearty meal would do him good or that I knew of his situation, so I said, “I was told you can’t leave a pub without a drink and a bite to eat, so please, let it be my treat.” And he smiled, agreed, and walked over to us.

Owen was delightful, full of joy, and with plenty of happiness to spare. He ordered a rather small meal and a pint, but he thoroughly enjoyed both.

Before he left, I asked if he had a joke for me and he immediately came up with this one:

A priest answers the phone and a voice questions, “Hello, is this Father Callahan?”

”It is.”

“Father, this is the Inland Revenue Service, income tax department. Can you help us?”

“I can.”

“Do you know a Sean Fitzpatrick?”

“I do.”

“Is he a member of your congregation?’

“He is.”

“Did he donate 10,000 pounds to the church?”

“He will.”

As a thankful Owen walked away after his meal, I smiled and said, “Good Luck, Mr. O’Malley!” He answered me with a huge grin on his face and said, “If you’re enough lucky to be Irish…you’re lucky enough!”

Irish or not, that’s a great thought to have.

As I left Ireland on my way to the airport, my cab driver asked me if I had a nice time. I told him I loved it all and that the only thing missing was that I didn’t see any leprechauns. But I said I’d be back again someday and asked him to tell the next leprechaun he saw just that.

My driver nodded and then handed me a card as I exited his taxi. I have it here in my office to this very day. It reads:

“Near a misty stream in Ireland in the hollow of a tree, live mystical, magical leprechauns who are clever as can be.

“With pointed ears, and turned up toes, and little coats of green, the leprechauns make their shoes, trying hard to ne’er be seen.

“Only those who really believe have seen these little elves.

“And if you believe and look with your heart you can see them yourselves.”

Wishing you peace and love … and a heart lucky enough to always see the magic.

Happy St. Patty’s Day!

~ Judy McKristen