I am from dusty horse-races throughout the year

And a rainbow of derby hats, with yellows and reds in the fall.

We have busy highways, left and right,

But back roads you can easily get lost in too.

I am from learning the alphabet and adding numbers,

Knowing my primary colors and loving to read.

Everyone’s my friend, no stranger in sight,

Yet still attached to my mother’s hip.

I am from being called cupcake

And eating hot fudge sundae poptarts.

Reading stories to my papa in his lap,

Laughing when he wears two cowboy hats, trying to be silly.

I am from family nights once a week,

Sitting on the worn out couch, watching Person of Interest and The Mentalist.

Playing Monopoly and Uno, laughing at silly jokes.

Taking turns picking what we have for dinner.

I am from selling cookies and washing cars to earn money,

Wanting to do fun things like camping and world thinking day.

Opening and closing ceremonies, earning patches,

And learning to be a better person.

I am from making new friends

And leaving the old ones behind.

The world continues to grow from a single room,

As I continue to grow older in life.