Everyone has their reasons behind why they are the way they are. Influences on our life can be racial, ethical, religious, and even geological. Being an Irish-Catholic in Chicago is the reason I am the way I am today.

Growing up in my large, close-knit family guarantees that I never am alone in any of the crazy journeys life has to offer. Anything from a homework assignment to the death of a close friend, our family was always there to help me (with a pint in their hand). Irish families do not stop at first cousins, however. Cousins of our parents and their children are also apart of our tight circle. Holidays are tight (in the literal form and street-slang form).

Family drama is few and far between because we all get along so well. Family weekends and vacations are something we all look forward to for months, especially when they are to the homeland. Some families have an intricate web when it comes to arguments. Because our family is so accepting, I have become open-minded.

When it comes to meals, you expect some sort of potato in each main course, and are never let down. Until you go away to school, and you are deprived of the blessed starch. Coming home, your meal of request is always some sort of red meat and mashed potatoes. When cooking for Christmas, 20+ pounds of potatoes are used and double that in the amount of turkey. The "kids" table is filled with grown adults and will be until the oldest generation is no longer with us.

Speaking of holidays, let me address the most important holiday for us Southside Irish: St. Paddy's Day. Every year it rolls around, and every year the festivities get better. No matter where the celebration takes place will be sufficient because the company is the best part. Paddy's day is always great craic no matter what day of the week it falls on. My family taught me to March the 17th and sleep the 18th.

They also taught me that the greater the party at a person's funeral, the better the person was. Irish funerals have the perfect mixture of sorrow and happiness. Sorrow, because we are no longer blessed with that person's presence, and happiness because they are finally with God. The wake is usually equipped with a full bar, or cooler in the parking lot. And after the funeral luncheon is typically a large party making toasts to memories of our lost loved one.

However, the greatest part of my upbringing was the hard love my family gave me. I learned through trial and error, but no matter how many times it took me to get something accomplished my family never lost the patience with me (fully). Irish tempers are very much real, but just as much temporary. I cannot imagine my life without my great big Irish family.