Green Beer and Good Friends

As a good Irishman, my Uncle Jim loved to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. He'd cook up a big pile of corned beef and cabbage, order up a keg of green beer and call it a party. The party seemed to get bigger every year, but three years ago Uncle Jim passed away shortly after Christmas. When March rolled around everyone was wondering what we would do for St. Patrick's Day since we had always celebrated at his house. My husband knowing how I missed my Uncle Jim, stepped up to the plate and offered to host the party. He and I made our first batch of corned beef and cabbage, we ordered up a keg a beer and invited the same old crowd. Now after three years, we're the new home for the St. Patrick's Day party, the only difference is that now we start the night by toasting Uncle Jim and remembering the good old days when he was still alive. I'm sure he's happy as he looks down from heaven to see the tradition that he started still going strong.

~Gina T., Downers Grove, IL