Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today and throughout the year!

This is a very exciting month for “Wise Words & Witty Expressions.”  As you may know, the expressions in my book are largely based on the expressions my Irish-Catholic mother said to me repeatedly while growing up.  Many of those expressions were said to her by my grandmother.
 
My grandmother was a woman of strength and good humor who immigrated to the United States from Ireland in the steerage section of a ship that landed at Ellis Island to the waiting “Lady Liberty.”  Her faith, strength and the common sense expressions she said throughout her life guided her and provided her with the laughter and wisdom necessary to enjoy life in all its pleasures and challenges.  I have been told hers was a difficult life but one in which she always had a smile, a kind word and some sarcasm if necessary to put you in your place.
 
Early in my career, I worked in Jersey City, New Jersey, as I do now, and on the evenings when I did not take the train into work but drove because I had an evening class at St. Peter’s College or went out for drinks with friends, I always thought of her as I would drive home on the New Jersey Turnpike and pass the Statue of Liberty.  I wondered to myself what she must think of my life and how fortunate I am because of the strength and courage she showed coming to this country so many years ago.  I imagine she would be proud but would never allow any cocky behavior, same as my mother, now same as me.   She was about gratitude in all things, and I am grateful for the lessons and legacy she has given us.

The Month in Review
  
Now those leprechauns must have been working overtime last month because unbeknownst to me the February 28 edition of the Sunday Star Ledger ran an article featuring “Wise Words & Witty Expressions.”  The article was titled “Five New Books from New Jersey Authors” and mine was one. 
 
I found out about this because my mother received a phone call from a friend who said, “Did you know Renee was in the paper?”  What a great surprise, as the Star Ledger was founded 1832 and is the most largely circulated paper in the State of New Jersey.  
  
Don’t Forget to Share with Me Your Favorite “Wise Words & Witty Expressions” 

“Wise Words & Witty Expressions” represents the expressions I heard growing up.  I would love to hear from you and learn the “Wise Words & Witty Expressions” you remember to help you navigate your way through life’s ups and downs.
 
Maybe your expressions represent the geographic region of the United States you live in or maybe they are reflective of your ancestry or maybe they are just wise words.
 
I would love to collect enough expressions from my readers to write a second edition of “Wise Words & Witty Expressions.”  Perhaps you will even see your expression in my next book!
 
Click here to share your wise words and witty expressions.