I am from Kimball Kids.
I’m from playgrounds and play-doh,
storytime and snack time,
and pretending to nap
because I was never tired.

I’m from the bright pink cast
that ran all the way up my arm.
I am from “Don’t sweat the small stuff”
and “Just keep your head up,”
the wise words of my parents.

I am from that patch of woods behind my old house.
I’m from piles of leaves
much, much bigger than me.
I’m from the reds, golds, and beautiful browns,
swirling through the crisp autumn air.

I am from glittering ornaments
and twinkling lights.
I’m from midnight Mass and “Silent Night,”
and waking up to not-so-expertly-wrapped presents
on a white Christmas morning.

I’m from the political lectures
and physics lessons--my favorite--
Not!
of my dad, daddy, or pop--the engineer.
Oh, how I love him.

I am from popcorn and comedies.
I’m from snuggling up on the couch with my mama--
crunching, catching up and cracking up.
I’m from “I love you”
and “I love you more!”

I am from that 13-hours-long flight.
I’m from waiting, waiting, and waiting.
I’m from stepping foot on the Great Wall--
and waiting--
and falling in love with my little sis at first sight.

I am from Sunday afternoons on the farm.
I’m from naming kittens
and chasing chickens,
And the taste of my grandma’s fresh-baked bread,
buttered and better than anything.

I am from family,
sitting around a warm fire,
s’mores smeared on the faces of my cousins.
I am from singing, giggling, grinning
and feeling the love.