I’m from suitcases full of comfort items on long car rides

From “dancing bear” and “brown bear”

I am from annual trips to Walt Disney World

I’m from the lingering smell of cigarette smoke clinging to my Nana’s clothes

I am from the sound of giggling children swimming in the river

From constant sewing, crafting, and drawing

I am from the smell of moo pie baking in the oven

I am from the stories shared by Grandma, from “The Little Blue Man”

I’m from mid-summer Tanglewood concerts, from tubing in Higley

I’m from princess dresses and fancy tiaras

I am from ball-dropping on New Years Eve, from Christmas in Virginia

I am from fears of throwing up

I am from the grief of losing family pets

I’m from jokes about marrying my best friend, from my family believing I actually would

I am from an overall amazing family, from Mindy and Kristen and Ben

I am from a family that’s gone through a lot, but is there for each other through it all