Our Leprechaun by Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

I’m at a loss for words these days. THAT never happens. Staring at a blank screen I wondered… What shall I talk about on my blog day? With St. Patrick’s Day and the first day of spring behind us—unremarkable, and rightly so with this awful virus—and so many people home with kids, I thought… Maybe I could tell you a family story? So, pull up a chair.

We have one child, an incredible daughter, who is now in her mid-twenties. When she was young, she set our home “on its ear”. It all began when she was maybe four, in preschool, and she had a lovely teacher named Mrs. Connelley. As you may surmise, Mrs. Connelley was of Irish descent, and she brought her love of the Emerald Isle to her tiny students. That’s charming, you might say. And it truly was! The children made shamrock crafts, colored rainbows and pots of gold, made Leprechauns hats and shoes, all in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day. On the actual day, everyone was excited to enter the classrooms and enchanted find green glittery Leprechaun footprints on the floors and up the walls. Even on the ceilings! MAGIC had come to their little corner of the world, and our daughter was overjoyed.

Fast forward to March of first or second grade. (It’s a long time ago, so I’m not exactly certain which) Ever since Mrs. Connelley introduced our daughter to the leprechaun back in preschool, the wee sprite visited our home on St. Patrick’s Day. Poof! Like fairy magic, chocolate coins appeared, mostly around decorations our daughter still crafted with great care. This leprechaun didn’t walk on walls or ceilings. However, he was generous with his chocolate coins. Thoughtful, too, because he hid them in high places since we had dogs. And, it didn’t matter to him our family hailed from countries other than Ireland. Our daughter’s enthusiasm had helped him find us. She was certain.

I was always happily “surprised” by the chocolate treasure our girl hauled in each St. Patrick’s Day morning. Being of Swedish and German ancestry, I’d never experienced the joy of a leprechaun visit. Mr. H’s family is French-Canadian/British and Italian, so no leprechauns there either. Yet Mrs. Connelley’s and our daughter’s hopeful magic was strong stuff, and that made it super-fun for all of us.

The trouble… or rather the setting on the ear part… came when other children questioned, “Why did a leprechaun come to your house and not mine?” Some found chocolate coins or little treasures, but most didn’t. It appeared the leprechaun magic only worked for a select few. “That’s not fair,” our daughter decreed, adding, “Why would he leave someone out and make them sad?”

I’ve drawn a blank as to what my answer was. I think I blacked out. Parental fear is a real thing, people! I DO remember the angry mother who stopped me at the entrance to school the next day. “Why the HELL did you do the leprechaun? We’re Irish, and we don’t even do the leprechaun! Now I have to…*grumble*grumble*grumble grumble*…As if the damn bunny isn’t enough…*grumble*grumble*grumble*grumble*…” Thankfully, the woman huffed and stomped away without further incident.

You see, the Hills women have been stirring up mischief for a very long time. Innocently, but still…*wink* For the record, my daughter’s leprechaun is ALWAYS welcome in our home! Any reason to find joy and celebrate childhood, springtime, and fairy magic.

Thanks for reading. Perhaps someday I’ll tell you the story of “the citizens.” Another day. Until next time… I wish you, and all those you love, good health, lasting peace, and real hope during these trying times.

~ Kathryn

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