I was nothing but a wee babe the first time I dragged my sister out of bed on a magical March 17th morn.
“Patty! Wake up!” With thoughts of Irish jigs and golden treasure, I shook my little sister who still slept while curled up in our shared double bed. She rubbed her eyes and brushed her auburn hair from her face.
“Let’s see if the leprechauns came last night!”
We padded out from the bedroom of the small apartment in our matching zip-up pajamas. As soon as I entered the living room, something bright caught my eye. It glimmered in the early morning sunshine and it beheld the brightest gold I’d ever seen!
“Found one!” I snatched the gold chocolate-filled coin from the top of the end table.
Patty echoed my excitement and toddled over to the other side of the long sofa. “I got one too!” She grabbed the precious gem on the matching table that an errant little person had left behind.
“Happy Saint Patrick’s Day!” Dad said. He towered over us and his strawberry crew cut made him look even taller. He leaned against the wall while sipping a cup of hot coffee and wore the wool fisherman sweater my mother had knit for him. He smiled and watched all the shenanigans.
My mom joined in the hunt and gathered the coins in her apron. Her violet eyes sparkled under a crown of raven black hair. She had explained the day before, “The leprechauns are coming tonight. They travel all the way from Ireland and will be carrying a huge pot of gold with them. Some coins may fall out and left behind.”
Once it seemed that we had found every last one of the coins, we began looking for the wee folk themselves. Patty and I searched everywhere. We peeked in closets, behind the sofa, and the scariest place of all, under our bed. We could not find any sign of the elusive creatures.
Soon the only trace of them was the gold foil that contained the delicious chocolate. I remember saving them in my jewelry box, believing they were the most precious of all metals. As I wound the key and let the old lullaby play, I was on top of the world!
After regaling my friends of our encounter with leprechauns, I didn’t understand why they hadn’t gotten a visit. Mom explained that they probably weren’t as Irish as us. We were McCartans after all.
Just as I began to doubt my belief in the little people, my brother Joe was born. The Leprechauns started dropping those gold coins on Saint Patrick’s Day once again!
Many years later, the same scene played out with my own children. They ran from room to room giggling while gathering up those coveted gold coins. As they got older, they seemed to be hidden a bit better. Sometimes I would find one propped up against a brass vase at the end of May!
Now that they are in college, the leprechauns leave a bag of coins for each of them on the kitchen counter. I even save a little stash for myself. I have always been a collector of precious metals.
Have you ever heard of “Irish Diplomacy?”
It’s the ability to tell someone to go to hell, so they look forward to the trip!
How are you planning to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day?
~Erin Go Braugh~
Photos by Susie Lindau
Arrived here through a random selection. Thought that I would leave my mark, in appreciation.
Love the gold coins. A lot better that throwing cabbages.
How did you find me?
I am glad you found me and hope you come by again to read!
In reply to your question. I liked your smile here: http://en.blog.wordpress.com/2012/05/15/follow-comments/. I then liked your post here: http://susielindau.com/about/. Then I asked WP for a random post of yours, and here I commented. Your request has been granted, your attitude pleases me. LOL.
You rock! Thank you so much! I am always curious…
Pleasure.
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I love those chocolate coins!! What a great way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day as a child.. isn’t it the best when we can continue these traditions with our kids:)
It is! And even though they are now 20 and 22, I am still going to make sure that those little people pay our house a visit.
Thanks Smidgen!
This sounds like such a fun tradition–like an Easter egg hunt for St. Patrick’s Day. I’ll keep this in mind down the road when I have kids.
You should! I just use the Jewish coins for Passover.
Thanks Marcy!
What a fun Tradition loved it
Thanks Soma!
Awesome tradition…you would think we would do something considering my husband was born on St. Patrick’s Day and his name is Patrick…however a Latino St. Patrick…so all he do is party with green beer and listen to Vicente Fernandez…we have Easter
Awesome! Send Happy birthday wishes to your husband! My son’s middle name is Patrick..Love that name!
I love this one. But I am afraid to try it as the dog really should not eat chocolate. And he will find the leftovers.
Thanks Notes!
I had to inform my leprechauns to leave them in places my dog couldn’t reach…They have been so obedient…
Thanks for stopping by!
Your family sounds like a lot of fun! The mischievous leprechauns do something similar at our house. They also leave our toilet water green.
They dyed the milk and the mayo one year. Big mistake….
Thanks Debra!
LOL ~ Green mayo! Ewww!
Speaking of magic, you weave quite a tale, Susie!
What a great tradition with the chocolate coins, Susie!
Since I am just a “wee bit” Irish *said in thick Irish brogue* we will celebrate our heritage at home. It’s too crazy out on the streets for me.
I’m so glad that there are Irish in Colorado, and now I know why you’re so mischievous!
My secret it out…I dyed my hair auburn so that is double trouble!
Thanks MJ and Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you!
Sweet story, Susie. You’re such a great mom! I’m spending time the lucky day at a brunch with writers. Can’t beat that. Thanks this post, I might seek out a funky green hat…
Thanks August!
You should wear one and tweet some pictures….
What a lovely story!
Thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed it. My sister read it to my mom this morning!
Susie, what a charming tradition. I have never heard of this one but it sounds like a lot of fun.
Thanks Louise! It was just like the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, and Santa…
exactly. without a drop of Irish blood we didn’t do this but i’m going to try it with my grandchildren.
Excellent! They will love it!
As experience has taught me oh so well, you do not plan St. Patrick’s Day as much as it plans you.
Happy and healthy one, lady.
It does have a way of doing that Cayman! Hahaha! Thanks and you do the same although somehow I think I will be reading about your night in a post…
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I didnt believe you had kids, you look remarkable young ! What your secret chocolate coins?
Thanks so much for that! I do love chocolate….
I love chocolate too but when i say it people seem to interpret that the wrong way. Kudos for looking so young though . I would be more than happy to by soem exercise machine or cream from you on QVC late at night
You are too funny! Wow! Thanks! I did write about my addiction to a particular magnifying mirror that made my skin look like the surface of the moon! I fight aging tooth and nail, but only up to a point….still looking for that miracle cream too…
Nice post, I enjoyed it. I always thought that St.Patrick created the Leprechauns to drive all the snakes out of Ireland?????
Thanks so much1
Hahaha! I did too!
Are you going to make a Sexy Corned Beef and Cabbage video for St. Patty’s Day?
Wow, I never thought of that, brilliant idea, but I don’t want to put to much sexiness on the internet, it wouldn’t be fair.
Well I guess that’s true!
Happy St Patrick’s Day, Susie! Have fun!
Thanks Tom! Happy St. Patty’s to you!
Great post, Susie! You never disappoint!
That sounds SO fun. I’ve never celebrated Saint Patty’s day before, but after this post I believe I will.
That’s great! I’m so glad that you will be adding this to your family traditions. Your kids will love it!
I married into an Irish family and enjoy celebrating St. Patty’s Day!!! Thanks for sharing & Happy Monday:)
Thanks! Everyone is Irish on St. Patty’s Day!
Top of the Monday Morning to ya~ (even if it is afternoon…)
I probably believed in leprechauns–I do remember combing clover patches many times to find the four leafed one!!
I had one in my wallet for years!
Thanks Coleen. You do have one of the prettiest name for this time of year~
Go to hell told with a smile…
We didn’t do the St Patrick’s Day coin thing, we got the leftovers on Easter. Now I’m craving chocolate…
excellent post!
Thanks Nelle! I love chocolate too!
Cute story! The St. Patty’s Day you know is just a happy occasion for all, little ones and big. One of my kids storybooks of course is just that a Mr. Shannanagins tale. And the adults get to play and be silly too.
That sounds great gardenlilie! I am glad you enjoyed my family tradition.
Hi,
It is unreal to think that St. Patrick’s day is just around the corner, the year has gone so fast.
Gold chocolate coins are the go for the big day. My mother used to tell me the Leprechauns come last night and I heard them hiding the gold coins, so much fun was had by all.
That is so great that you had the same tradition! It was like an Easter Egg Hunt.
Happy St. Patty’s Day to you!
I never believed in them but still wondered if the Lucky Charms guy was at the end of the rainbow. I think I believed in banshees more..:)
HUGGGGGGGGGG
They were always after his Lucky Charms…I remember that little guy~
Thanks Linda!
Leprechauns used to come visit me too! But ours were more mischievous, they would walk through the wooden area behind our house and turn rocks into potatoes. My brother and I had to collect them and Dad would make his famous, potato, ham and green bean soup.
Your leprechauns were so creative! Happy St. Patty’s Day early! Thanks for sharing.
St. Patrick’s day is my annual “be a total killjoy” day. I’m the guy, no lie, who goes around saying, “Do you know the REAL story of St. Patrick’s day?” Then they feel compelled to ask and I bum them out.
I try to stop. I can’t. And, yes, I’ll be writing a post about it.
Although, I have to say, I really like the chocolate coin idea.
If you have kids, they would love it too!
So you won’t be drinking a black and tan or a Guinness come Saturday night? Such a pity….lol