Do You Have Something That Brings You ‘The Luck of The Irish’?
I certainly hope not. But then let me explain……
For us Irish, having ‘the luck of the Irish’ is not necessarily a good thing. It actually refers to the bad luck and difficult times the Irish had throughout history. Centuries of losses, poor fortunes, and just general bad times gives an ironic twist to the term ‘luck’.
It also explains the many superstitions (think kissing the Blarney Stone) and the use of lucky charms by the Irish. So after centuries of misfortune, you can see why we would believe in lucky rituals or a favorite talisman.
Being of Irish decent, I am no different. I grew up listening to stories of leprechauns, carrying a 4-leaf clover keychain and reading the Irish blessing hanging over the door. So I too have a lucky charm.
My lucky talisman is a TROLL…..and her name is Lucy. And she has been with me for over 40 years.
Trolls were very popular back in the sixties. They had brightly colored hair shooting from the top of their heads, big dark eyes, and cute little faces. But the best part was that they were supposed to bring you good luck, and back then I needed some.
I had been in the hospital and was very ill. My parents got me Lucy so I could keep her with me in bed and take her when I went for tests. She had wild fuchsia hair and big dark eyes and was my best pal through my illness. Needless to say, I got better but I always kept Lucy close….just in case.
Fast forward to today. Lucy sits front and center on the desk in my home office. She watches me as I write and I sometimes stoke her hair for inspiration when I get stuck for an idea. Or sometimes I’ll hold her short little arms and do our ‘lucky dance’ like I used to when I was a kid.
But is Lucy lucky? Has she ever brought me good luck? I like to think so. She has been with me through many of my ‘luck of the Irish’ times and we have always landed on our feet!
All I know is that she is never too far away just in case I need to rub her little head to get me past my moments of writer’s block.