I took this picture last year on March 17 of Sean, Abby and my feet in our matching shamrock socks. We wear them every year on and around St. Patrick’s Day.
We started this shamrock sock tradition before Sean was born. When I was pregnant with him in 2003 the only clothing item that I bought for our first child, while carrying him, was this pair of socks. We didn’t know what gender our baby was going to be and had received a number of gifts of newborn sized clothing at baby showers and such. So being the practical person I was at the time and not wanting to jinx anything by buying a lot of stuff for our baby boy or baby girl, I was content just to have a pair of these adorable socks in a drawer in “Baby Benson’s Room” in the months leading up to our son’s birth.
Sometime between the time Sean was born and his first St. Patrick’s Day in 2004, I bought myself a matching pair. We both wore them that year and have done so ever since.
During our pregnancy with Molly, though early on we knew that her diagnosis and prognosis was not good, I bought a pair for our daughter and never gave up believing that she might get to wear them on St. Patrick’s Day the following year (2009), along with her Mommy and older brother Sean. Sadly, that vision never came to be. However, a pair of shamrock socks did make their way into Molly’s casket after she was born and died. The socks, which represented hope for me when I carried her, were one of the many special things that our baby girl was buried with.
In keeping with tradition, I bought a pair of shamrock socks during our pregnancy with Abby in 2009. Once again the socks represented hope and faith for me that this child would get to come home with us and be a part of our family here on Earth. I found much joy last year on St. Patrick’s Day (when Abby turned 6 months old) in being able to dress our daughter in her first pair of shamrock socks.
Once again Sean, Abby and I are wearing our shamrock socks, remembering our little leprechaun in Heaven and counting our blessings with very happy feet on this St. Patrick’s Day.
Today is also a very happy day, as our Abigail Grace turned 18 months old! What a wonderful year and a half it has been having this little sweetheart in our life.
Sean is not feeling well today and stayed home sick from school. So our St. Patrick’s Day celebration may not be as festive as in years past, but we are grateful to all be together and hope that Sean feels better soon.
Lastly, to all those who voted in Lori’s Limerick Chick Contest, I am excited to share that my limerick won this year!
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ANY AND EVERYONE THAT VOTED!!! 🙂
I had a lot of fun participating and I am very honored to be the “2011 Limerick Chick!”
I wish you and yours a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
First – awesome awesome tradition with the socks 🙂 I love things like that!! Your kids will always remember and treasure these traditions… how fun.
Second – YOU WON!!!! You are officially the TOP DOG OF LIMMERICKS. I am doing a snoopy happy dance for you right now in my living room (I guess it's good you are shielded from this, as I am now bald and look even sillier than if I had done it yesterday 🙂 – hhahahah)
Congratulations on both being the coolest funnest mom ever and being a great Irish Poet!
I love that green and socks and Irish-ness ties your whole family together :-). Thinking of Molly with you today.
Congrats on being the LimChick! I'm glad you lifted the badge — I was about to get around to sending you the code. Will get you your Amazon gift cert soon.
Yay, Kathy!
Michelle – Thank you! I am glad you appreciate the tradition. Until I really thought about it today/while composing this post, I had never realized what a tradition it has become in our family/for me and my kids.
Sean stayed in his PJs most of the day since he wasn't feeling well, but he insisted in wearing his socks! Abby also seemed to notice and really get a kick out of the fact that all three of us were wearing socks that looked the same. 🙂
I am enjoying the silly image of your bald headed happy dance in honor of my limerick winning the contest! 😉 Thank you for your kudos and kind words! Reading your comments always boosts my self esteem! 🙂
Lori – Thank you!!! I am very honored and excited to be the LimChick!:-) Though it was stressful at times, I had so much fun with the contest! Thank you so much for faciliating it! Yes, I did copy the badge, but feel free to send me the code, as the one I put in my side bar is not hyperlinked to anything/your limerick chick posts.
I also love that things like that tie my whole family together and I appreciate your thoughts of Molly today (that means a lot to me).