I am from the Fourth of July
the battles fought for our freedom
loving life in the U.S.A.

I am from Minnesota
my small town of Fergus Falls
my lovely house on the lake
moving to St. Louis when I was three

I am from the warm lake
looking like glass as the sun rises
having wars on the water trampoline
being thrown off
paddle boarding to the middle of the lake
falling off
having to swim all the way back
driving the golf cart by myself
learning how to water ski at the age of seven
going double tube-tubing with my guy cousins
being the only one who doesn’t fall off

I am from lake houses
four houses
one side of the lake
everyone is related

I am from learning tricks
my gymnastics-coach uncle
teaching me tricks on the ground
and on the water trampoline
doing cheer-leading stunts ‘cause he is strong and I am small

I am from calm days
waking up
eating a nice breakfast
waiting for cousins to wake up
playing tug-a-war, football, and anything we could come up with
spending hours in the tree house
picking raspberries

I am from fireworks
running around with sparklers
waiting ‘till dark
the dads and older cousins spending who knows how much on the fireworks
putting on the best fireworks show in the city
boats gather around to watch
eating apple and pumpkin pies after the fireworks
getting fireworks for my birthday

I am from family
loving aunts and uncles
fun cousins
caring grandparents
the best family I could ever ask for

I am from the Fourth of July
the battles fought for our freedom
loving life in the U.S.A.