I am from six mile hikes with friends or family
from wanting to go higher when I got to the top.
I am from snowboarding when it’s -15o,
from knocking my spine out of place.
From running around the woods with my cousins,
from fishing in the creek behind my grandparents’ house.
I am from being outside.

I am from a garbage man and a waitress,
from listening to Tom Petty late at night with my dad,
from playing frisbee for hours with my family,
from being the youngest of 29 cousins.
Learning to fly without a pair of wings
I am from a loving family

I am from games of cards that end with a broken table
from 20 hour Harry Potter marathons
or bringing our Xboxes to one person's house and calling it a party
from travelling to New York, Michigan, and Minnesota with one group of guys
I am from road trips to Lambeau, or the Dells
from sitting by the lake at 2 a.m. talking
I am from a happy bunch of guys that always have a smile on their faces.

I am from McCartney and Sinatra,
from brisk winter mornings, and cool summer nights.
From helping others find their way,
while