I Am From
I am from playing with American Dolls, camping in the woods of the Georgia Mountains, and   
drinking Shirley Temples at my favorite beach hotel in Florida while watching the waves on the shore
I am from Disney princess almost every weekend in the living room with laughter in the
background 
I am from driving all night to Gram’s house to find the aroma of roast beef cooking in the
kitchen

I am from hours spent playing house in the woods with friends, days wasted biking around the
neighborhood trying not to get hit by a car, and weeks of scraped knees due to
stupidity
I am from Elf played every Christmas season while the fireplace blasting heat
and we drink hot cocoa
I am from a scar on my elbow from being tackled in family kickball in ‘09 on a hot summer day

I am from swinging into Gram’s lake from a rope swing that was only hanging on by a thread
From dashing inside after hearing, “Lunch is ready!”
Gram constantly remind us to slather on sunscreen, knowing we would ignore her

I am from reading Junie B. Jones books at night, throwing Super Bowl Parties. and riding in
the blue van for long car rides
I am from pretending cherry juice was blood on my finger tips to trick my parents
I am from always buying orange push-pops in elementary for $1 and ending up with sticky
orange sugar all over my fingers

I am from the smell of grits on Sunday mornings, the sounds of, “Stop being so sassy” told to
me whenever I would talk back to my parents as a child, and the soft, touch of my sweet, gray cat, Tony
I am from reruns of Full House in my pajamas every Saturday morning even though
I’ve seen every episode at least ten times
I am from jamming out to the Jonas Brothers while getting ready to go to school, while my
mom scurries to tell me turn it down

I am from my 8th birthday at Disney World being stuck under a hut while it pours down rain
From my family trying to cheer me up but it failing miserably
Dad tries to lighten up the mood with corny jokes, and ending up getting multiples, “boos.”  

I am from home being a safe and secure place, knowing everyone loves me for who I am
From a place I can myself, feel accepted, and not have to worry about the outside world
Home is where family is