“May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.” — The Irish Blessing
I love celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. So many memories fill my heart with joy — shamrocks, parades in New York City, Belmar, and Trenton with my wife and children, and the gift of great Irish music, especially the Chieftains.
And a special thank you to my dear friend and former colleague Ward McCarthy for introducing me to the music of the Chieftains and for those precious evenings we spent watching them perform live. I think I now own nearly every album they’ve ever recorded.
As I move through my fourth quarter of life, I find myself drawn to the story of St. Patrick — and his remarkable journey of faith.
Patrick was not Irish by birth. As a teenager, he was kidnapped from Britain and brought to Ireland as a slave. During those lonely years tending sheep on the hillside, he turned to prayer — and discovered a deep, abiding trust in God.
After eventually escaping and returning home, Patrick felt called — against all expectation — to go back to the very land where he had once been held captive.
His life reminds me of something I see often in my work with clients navigating loss and transition: God can take even the most painful chapters of our lives and transform them into a mission of grace for others.
The road that rose to meet Patrick was not an easy one. But it was deeply meaningful. And perhaps that is the deeper blessing of this day — to trust that God continues to guide us through our own journeys: through hardship and loss, through unexpected turns, and toward the people, places, and purposes where our lives can become a blessing for others.
So today, wherever you are:
May the road rise to meet you. May courage grow within you. And may you trust that wherever the road leads, God walks with you — every step of the way.
Wishing my clients, fellow coaches, colleagues, and friends a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Dr. K
PS — Here’s one of my favorites from the Chieftains called “Treasure Island”
