May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

This is the Irish blessing the Monsignor sang acapella this morning at the close of the service as his St. Patrick’s wish to everyone. It was so unexpected and so well done that it choked me up. What a beautiful gift.

But this wasn’t the first time I fought tears during the service this morning.

I’ve gotten somewhat used to the “regulars” over time and can identify them as pairs/groups or individuals. One particular pair includes two elderly gentlemen who are clearly best friends. One of the men seems to have had a stroke and has difficulty walking. In fact, he is in a wheelchair most of the time; he only walks to communion. It’s tough on him and he can’t do it unassisted. But he does it. Every day, he does it.

And this morning, it hit me right in the feels.

I glanced up in time to see him on the way back to his pew, with assistance from his best friend, locked arm in arm. And they were both sporting big, shiny green plastic shamrock bead necklaces. I immediately took a snapshot of the scene in my mind. And I have a feeling it will stick with me for a long time. It was so funny — and so moving. Seriously, is there anything more beautiful than the love and loyalty of a true friend? These two were united in humor, compassion, vulnerability, generosity, and selfless dedication.

In a time in which there are so many tears to shed for horrific human acts, I love that there are still moments in which human kindness can fill the heart beyond its capacity and spill over in tears.

As a friend stated simply on Facebook, “The only reason the world is still going is because there are still a few good people out there.”

I believe there are more than a few good people in this world. They’re everywhere. Their deeds just don’t make the news. My wish and prayer for you this St. Patrick’s Day is that you are always surrounded by them and feel them.

(And may you always be gifted with rainbows. Even random ones like this.)