I am from campers,
from dreams and dusty photographs.
I am from swinging on the oak tree
(Flying higher and higher,
wind flowing through my hair.)
I am from tulips,
whose polished petals touch my lips as I breathe in the scent.

I am from camping and grey hairs
from Anouk and Willem.
I’m from sarcasm and artists,
from “love is love” and “follow your dreams.”
I am from getting the choice to choose my religious beliefs...
and choosing to have none.

I am from Amy and Remy’s Branch,
smelly Dutch cheeses and Nana’s potato salad.
I’m from Papa losing his toe to the lawn mower.
The scrapbooks from our adventures,
and from spending Thanksgiving at the “kids table” paging through them.

I am from books sitting on the dusty shelf,
holding pages filled with memories and loved ones.
There I see where I’m from,
and with one blink of an eye...
I can see campers, and dreams
in those dusty photographs.