Dear Friends of Denny,

St. Patrick's Day Card by Granddaughter Cecilia

 Happy St. Patrick's Day! As you know, Dad is proudly 100% Irish, so this is one of his favorite holidays. He was very happy to be celebrating it at home. He even showed us "shamrocks" from the redwood forest when we Skyped by computer this morning. And of course, he was a wearin' o' the green.

Mom and Dad's favorite blue-eyed daughter, Christine, came home for a quick holiday visit. She helped Mom put up some decorations, and she and Dad enjoyed reading some Irish Blessings and Irish Wit together. As you can imagine, Dad had some Irish wit of his own to add.

Mark, Micki, Pam, and Denny enjoy lunch on the porch

 


Dad had a few other visitors this weekend. Ann Lynch stopped by and brought him a video of one of the infamous Cahill/Lynch St. Patrick's Day parties from the early '80s! Sisters-in-law Phyllis and Micki came by to say hello. Micki and Mark helped Mom plant some lettuce and other veggies in the planter that we bought for her last year. It is finally getting put to use. Marilyn and George Zibilich also came over and brought some soda bread in honor of the holiday. Tonight, sister Cathy and brother-in-law Ron stopped by to say hello.

Pam, Micki, and Mark plant Mom's kitchen garden

Dad had a good week. He is now getting physical therapy three days a week. With his caregivers, he is working on using his legs to propel himself in his wheelchair rather than being pushed everywhere. This is challenging, but he's game.  He is also starting speech therapy this week. He has been enjoying taking some long walks down Graham Road. The other day, he came home with a bouquet of the first spring wildflowers for Mom. Today, he, Mom and Christine took advantage of the lovely weather today to take another one.

We hope you and your families also had a wonderful weekend.
And we'd like to leave you with one of Dad's favorites, The Old Irish Blessing:

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.