On this day, in the year 1929, in the Olney section, in the city of Philadelphia, in the house in which she was to live, was born a little girl to two loving parents, Albert and Catherine.
May the road rise to meet you;
On this day, in the year 1929, in the Olney section, in the city of Philadelphia, in the house in which she was to live, a little girl was named Agnes Patricia, a compromise between her parents as she was born on this day.
May the wind be always at your back;
On this day, in the year 1929, Agnes Patricia would be the third daughter for Albert and Catherine, the third of five children.
On this day every year since her birth in 1929, Agnes Patricia would celebrate her birthday with a bit o’ leprechaun green. Shamrock shakes. Cake with green sprinkles. Luck o’ the Irish cards. Irish potatoes. Kiss Me, I’m Irish pins.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
On this day every year since her birth in 1929, Agnes Patricia would have all of her St. Patrick’s Day birthday cards lined up along the TV, the coffee table, the end table…an endless array of cards as far as your eyes could see. No one ever forgets a lucky birthday!
On this day, in the year 2015, Agnes Patricia celebrated her first birthday without her Buddy. She celebrated this day, her 86th year throughout the day as each of her five children came to visit, knowing how lucky they were to have her still with them. She celebrated with a fruit bouquet, her usual ton of cards, cake and ice cream, flowers, a trip to the casino, FaceTime with her grandkids and great-grandkids.
The rains fall softly upon your fields;
On this day, in the year 2015, Agnes Patricia celebrated her birthday relaxing in her new recliner, reading one of her favorite authors, and watching her game shows.
On this day, in the year 2015, no one knew this would be the last…
And until we meet again,
On this day, in the year 2016, a class of loving second graders celebrated Agnes Patricia’s birthday by having a party. They made colorful three-leaf clover art that proudly hangs in the hall for all to see. They snacked on some of her favorite things: chocolate and vanilla cake, cheese and crackers and peanut butter crackers, and Cuties. They read books together. They loudly, joyously sang Happy Birthday to her. Cha-cha-cha. Oh-la-la. With Lady Gaga on the way to China. The l-o-n-g rendition.
On this day, in the year 2016, a class of loving second graders celebrated a woman they never met but love just the same. A class of second graders celebrated my mom, they brought her flowers for her grave and made her cards for her birthday.
On this day, in the year 2016, a class of loving second graders gave Mom and me a beautiful gift.
May God hold you in the palm of his hand
On this day, in the year 2016.
Unleashed 
A lovely memory, story, tribute to your Mom and to your teaching. What a wonderful way to show young students how to “care about” someone they didn’t even know.
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Thank you Barbara. This wasn’t what I wanted to write today, but it is what bubbled to the surface when I opened up the laptop after I came home.
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I love the repetition . . . “On this day” are powerful words, aren’t they?
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This is beautiful, Maribeth. I am sitting here with tears in my eyes. The format worked so well. And you brought everything together with the lines of the Irish Blessing. I really enjoy reading your writing.
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I had tears in my eyes, too, Rose 🙂
Thank you for reading the post, but especially for responding to it. I am never really sure what I am doing here, until it is finished. I get a weird line that will run through my head over and over and that is what I usually start with, never certain where it will go or when it should end. Glad you think the format worked.
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Rose won’t be the only one with tears in her eyes. On this day you have told a beautiful story of a special woman. Truly a lovely celebration of your mother’s life.
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Generous words, Elsie, but greatly appreciated. I tried to write the sequel to yesterday’s slice for you, but this is what came out instead. 🙂
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Powerful post! Thank you for sharing!
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So now you know one of the reasons why it was a tough week…! Thank you for reading and taking the time to respond.
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