I am from a history of violence. I am from the bruises and tears of loved and lost family. I am from playground violence, that eventually turned into “street” violence.

I am from the unjust decisions of the Chinese government, leaving hundreds of babies on the street, abandoned, like Pringles cans & candy wrappers dropped on the street.
But I am also from a free Jewish family. I’m from cedars, Hanukah parties, Bat or Bar Mitzvah’s. I’m definitely not from the warm sludge of Matzoh-Ball soup.

I am from Manhattan…where you wonder if that beautiful, frozen, white powder is going to fall again. Missing the rush of excitement when you witness what’s almost a blizzard, feeling drained of all energy by the time you get home after lugging your 25 pound backpack through 3 feet of hard-packed snow!

I am from the kid-friendly lyrics of Barney songs. From sitting in bed all day just to watch repeats of The Simpsons and recorded episodes of George Lopez.