The Roles We Take On, and What We Can Learn from the Shamrock

As she nears the end of a role that has occupied much of her life, Rachel Watkins realizes the lesson of the shamrock goes beyond the Trinity.

The arrival of March brings forth thoughts of Saint Patrick and with him will come his shamrock. It has been said he used its three leaves and single stem as an image of the Trinity. Father, Son, Holy Spirit: three Persons in one God.

While it is recognized as having its flaws, this explanation has a simplicity that works well especially with small children. They can recognize in themselves that they are sons/daughters, brothers/sisters, and friends. We all see this in ourselves. Though we have many more roles to fill than children do, each of us remains a singular child of God.

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This came to my mind recently as I am moving away from a role that occupied more than 30 years of my life. This May my family will be celebrating the high-school graduation the last of my 11 children. As I homeschooled my children, this last high-school graduation for my family will also be my retirement party.

Our Roles Change Over Time

My own shamrock of titles, roles and responsibilities included the expected daughter, sister, friend, and then wife and parent some 40 years ago. When my children reached school age, we prayed and decided homeschooling was the best choice for us. So from the average three-leaf shamrock and beyond the lucky four-leaf shamrock I reached seven. Not a big deal, as everyone’s shamrock is different. Some of us add working parent, caretaker of parents, or a health struggle to our virtual shamrock. We all take on many roles throughout our lives.

We often begin to define ourselves by these individual roles we fill. We focus on each of our shamrock’s petals rather than the whole. For me, I will happily admit I am proud of my large family. While I was insulted by the stranger who called my large van a clown car as all of my children climbed out, I also smiled inside. Having a large family hasn’t always been easy — but it has been more fun than any circus.

With my upcoming retirement, I am sorting out what life will look like without homeschooling: a longtime consuming part of my life. Change isn’t easy even when it is good. I’ve enjoyed giving away books to friends still in the midst of schooling. I have more time on my hands than ever before as my last child is doing most of his classes without my help.

I am spending time reflecting on these past 30 years of my homeschooling journey as it is winding down. While losing the hard work and responsibilities of being a homeschooling parent is appealing, who will I be if I am not a homeschooling parent?

Patrick's Life Reflected Change

Saint Patrick’s own life provides a simple reflection of the change in roles from one moment to the next. He went from a calm life in Britain to a kidnapped slave watching sheep in Ireland. After managing to escape, he answers God call to return to Ireland. He went from being a shepherd to animals to becoming the shepherd to the Irish people. There is no risk of pirates kidnapping me so I’ll remain with focusing on my own shamrock.

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Three are one. I remain a wife, parent, sister. New roles and their responsibilities arrive. Becoming a grandparent is a very nice, new one for me. Health issues not so nice. Regardless of the many public roles I may have, the one that has always been there and will always remain is being a child of the God. The Trinity, the three in one; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Remembering that singular truth in my heart is all that matters.

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