I am From Me

I am from happiness. I’m from the bright side, and the glass that’s half-filled. I’m from the crinkles by my eyes, a result of smiling too much (or so my mother says). I am from family. I’m from the potato famine and my seemingly endless roots, planted in the land of Mc’s, Mac’s, and O’s. I’m from six pairs of feet clangoring down the steps before a busy day. I’m from my cousins, my built-in best friends. I am from the Stone Harbor skies of blue, sprinkled by clouds; the puffy white kind. I am from that first gulp of salty air I take as we cross the bridge, reminding me of summers past. I’m from sixteen years’ worth of beach days spent on 102nd Street, with over 102 relatives! I’m from hours on end of sun, sand, and storytelling. I am from chaos. I’m from early mornings and late nights. I’m from calendars, threatening to spill over with activities. I’m from our 1993 Nissan Quest, the ultimate “soccer mom” minivan; though it’s the oldest car, it is filled with the most memories. I am from books. I’m from reading the story before seeing the movie. I’m from “The Babysitter’s Club”, responsible for sparking my interest in reading. I’m from “Harry Potter” a journey of magic that enthralled me the first time I read it, and continues to today. I’m from the world a good book takes me into, where my troubles and worries are nonexistent. I am from glamour. I’m from the hairspray and bobby pins that clutter up my desk. I’m from Vogue, my fashion Bible. I’m from my Basement Beauty Salon, a figment of my 8 year old imagination. I’m from my clothes, the best form of expression. I am from “America’s Favorite Pastime”. I’m from the joy of winning the Series in ‘08, and hoping to repeat it since. I’m from believing in “It’s not over ‘til it’s over” and from watching until the end, yearning for the comeback win. I’m from the Philadelphia Phillies, my reason for rooting for underdogs. I am from habits. I’m from bitter nail polish, a means of preventing me from biting my nails. I’m from organization; without it, I doubt my mother nor I would be sane. I am from the neighborhood gang. I’m from evenings of wiffle ball, kickball, and soccer. I’m from the scraped elbows and bruised knees, results of our bike and Razor Scooter adventures. I’m from dreading the cue to come home: “Dinner’s ready!” I am from procrastination. I’m from beginning a project the night before it’s due. I’m from promises of not waiting until the last minute, yet I somehow seem to do it anyway. I am from traditions. I’m from my Grandparent’s one week early Thanksgiving, a unique celebration we continue though they have passed. I’m from a Ukrainian Christmas Eve of pierogies and kielbasa, and a Christmas Morning that begins at the crack of dawn, thanks to my little sister. I’m from relatives coming from two blocks away all the way to Japan, just so we can be together. I’m from albums upon albums overflowing with photos, captured to depict memories of the past. I am from determination. I’m from never settling for anything less than my best. I’m from my drive for success, and not resting until I achieve it. I’m from sports, and the valuable lessons I have learned from them. I’m from “If a coach yells at you, it means they haven’t given up on you.” I am from music, the definition of my soul. I’m from my pump-up, calming, and guilty pleasures playlists. I’m from that British boy band of five, whose songs have become second nature to me. I’m from Broadway; where the word “music” takes on a whole new meaning. I am from creativity. I’m from painting the canvas of my life with any color I choose. I’m from London, Paris, and New York City, the capitals of my world. I am from my parents, paragons of who I want to be. I’m from a happy marriage, a rarity in today’s day and age. I’m from their endless generosity and kindness, and the credit they hardly get, but truly deserve. I’m from being taught to “stand up for what is right, even if it means standing alone.” I am from religion. I’m from attending Mass every week, but not before the routine round of “Do we have to go’s?” I’m from a family whose faith is what unites us. I’m from prayer, the answer to my anxieties. I am from variety; from opposites and uncertainty. Though I am not sure of where I’m going from here, I know I will get there; and that makes all the difference.