A Different Take On St. Paddy's Day

The following is an approximation of the conversation that just took place between me and Sarah on the drive home from school.

 

"Mom, what is St, Patrick's Day?"

 

Ok, at this I start thinking about which route I should take in answering the question, the religious route, the festivities route, just the basic facts route....

 

"Well St. Patrick was a saint and he worked in Ireland a long time ago and I think he's a patron saint of Ireland and the Irish have a special day to celebrate in honor of him."

 

"Oh ok, but what does that have to do with SpongeBob?"

 

*me slightly stunned*  "HUH?"

 

"Well why is there a special day to celebrate Patrick from SpongeBob?  And what does it have to do with four leaf clovers?"

 

Ok, by this time I'm trying really really hard not to laugh and I'm grateful she's in the backseat and can't see my face.

 

"Um, Sarah...well, St. Patrick and Patrick from SpongeBob are two different "Patricks" and they have nothing to do with one another." * I then went on to explain the meaning of four leaf clovers*

 

"Oh, ok.  Thanks Mom."

 

I couldn't resist and I asked her to explain why she thought St. Patrick's Day was about the Patrick from SpongeBob.

 

"I don't know why I thought that Mom.  I just heard St. Patrick's Day and thought of Patrick from SpongeBob and figured it was a day where you got to watch SpongeBob SquarePants all day long."

 

Damn, what a brilliant idea...