I am from the quiet banks of the lake
from peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and homemade granola
I am from "the little house on the prairie"
full of life from rain and shine
I am from the rhododendrons and hydrangeas,
peonies and sweet peas
I am from family reunions,
loud but loving from Auntie Gerelyn, to cousin Maria, to little Michael
From digging to get to China and fairy-tales
I'm from the Northwest, salads and spaghetti
From my courageous great grandparents who started it all
I am from the smell of garlic, the dusty faded photo albums, and good laughs at the dinner table
I couldn't ask to be from more