Writing 101, Day Fifteen: Your Voice Will Find You

You’re told that an event that’s dear to your heart – an annual fair, festival, or conference – will be cancelled forever (or taken over by an evil organization). Write about it. For your twist, read your piece aloud, multiple times. Hone that voice of yours.

Local newspaper headline: “St. Patrick’s Day Celebration Cancelled, March 17^th Removed from Calendar.”

Sitting in the family room watching the morning news – it’s always been my quiet time – my son, who was working an overnight shift came bursting in the door.

“Mom, mom, you won’t believe what I just read! And it’s on the radio, too.”

My back was to him, and knowing how he likes to exaggerate (he gets that from his dad), I involuntarily rolled my eyes before turning to face him.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“St. Louis is cancelling the St. Patrick’s parade and festival, they said it’s because of the backlash of people insisting on honesty in holidays!”

So, I started to do some research and it looks like there is a trend to rid society of many holidays. Locally they are experimenting with St. Patrick’s Day, here are some of the reasons:

• St. Patrick wasn’t Irish
• The four-leaf clover isn’t Irish
• There are no snakes in Ireland
• Corned beef is Irish-American and was a Jewish food
• There is no such thing as St. Patty’s day – Patricia is a Patty, Patrick is a Paddy

And these were only a few. It seems politically correctness has put everything up for grabs. Heard Santa and Christmas are being considered next.

The stress caused my son to collapse. 

*Work of Fiction*