We all know the Irish have the gift of gab and the ability to bring light to challenging situations with their words. I wonder sometimes though if the Irish realize the power of this gift and what it means to those around them. I have always been proud to be part of a culture that takes life in stride by "rising to the occasion" while keeping a strong sense of humor intact. They say laughter is the best medicine and the Irish have certainly figured out how to use laughter and light-heartedness to see them through many challenges. After being raised by an Irish American mother, very important that I mention American because my mother always reminded me that I am an American of Irish descent, who had an expression for every life experience; I can personally attest to this. I remember as a child when I would become jealous of my sisters or feel sorry for myself, my mother would say to me in a sing-song voice: Nobody loves me, nobody cares. I am going to eat whole lot of worms and die--big fat juicy ones and itsy, bitsy teensy ones, and I am going to chew them up and spit them in your eye. After hearing that, I would immediately start laughing and realize how silly I was being. Remembering these funny words and the way in which my mother delivered them still makes me laugh and reminds me to take a step back and re-evaluate a situation. Her ability to do this through humor taught me to keep my sense of humor in life. That is a powerful lesson to teach a child with just a silly little statement. When I share my mother's funny antidotes and wisdom, I am able to make others laugh at themselves or a situation and pass that wisdom along, which is the gift the Irish give to those around us.