Yesterday I put on the green to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. As I was pulling on my socks with the shamrock design my son asked me why so many people get drunk on a day that honors a saint.

Good question, I thought. I didn't know the answer, so we went online and got a WikiAnswer:

Traditionally the Irish drink during wakes to honor the dead. Saint Patrick's day is celebrated on the day it is thought Saint Patrick died... making the holiday similar to being at his wake. This makes drinking a natural choice.

I said, "There's nothing wrong with enjoying a drink or two to celebrate a holiday when you are the legal drinking age." Then, in my best Irish brogue, "As a matter 'o fact, I look forward to raisin' a glass 'n sippin' a wee bit 'o green beer to celebrate." But I made it clear that getting drunk is not the way to honor St. Patrick, especially since Patrick himself didn't drink.

Inspired by my son's simple question I wrote a post for The "V" Channel, Why Do So Many People Get Drunk on St. Patrick's Day? >

While on the topic of excessive drinking, I asked him if he and his friends were aware of the dangers of alcohol poisoning and teenage binge drinking. I showed him

Whether or not you choose to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, let's honor Patrick, the real man, for his true legacy and for the virtues he embodied. Five Reasons Why We Honor St. Patrick >

Wishing you and all our kids "Victory via Virtues!".