When I was little I had a little green button that I liked to wear on St. Patrick’s Day. It said “Kiss Me I’m Irish.” It served a couple of purposes. First, it kept people from pinching me because I wasn’t wearing green. Second, it really baffled people. They would read the button, look at me and most people wouldn’t even ask the question.

Here’s the truth. Growing up, it never occurred to me that my mother’s Irish heritage wasn’t mine because I was adopted. I’ve written about that before. It’s why I can sing a couple of Irish pub songs and dance a few steps of the Irish jig (though badly).

Several years ago, a local business owner called me and said that he wanted to offer our employees a discount at our store. We talked for a little bit and then he told me that he would come over later to drop off the coupons. I gave him my name and he commented what a good Irish name that was. His wife had the same name. “I bet you have red hair and freckles,” he said. “Actually,” I told him. “You’ll want to look for the short Korean woman with black hair and glasses.” Silence is golden.

I don’t know why I get such a big kick out of surprising people with the way I look. Most likely, it’s just a part of my twisted sense of humor, but I think it’s a lot of fun. From the reading that I’ve done, I know that some of my fellow Korean adoptees do not share my level of amusement. When I was in high school, I thought it was hilarious (probably because my friends also thought it was funny). Now, I have to admit, I still find it amusing. You have to look for a little humor in the world and what better time to do it then a day where the ultimate trickster (the leprechaun) is center stage.

If you would like to comment, but not on this site, please e-mail me at adoptkoreablog@adoptionmail.com.