I'm from When You Wish Upon A Star to A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes

From toys made out of cardboard, but made by someone loved

From pool days to snow days

From palm trees to red maples

I am from broken shingles to feeling the cold rain dripping on my face when I was dreaming

From playing hopscotch by myself to watching soccer games with my dad; my best friend

I am from playing hide- n- seek in the cupboards to hiding in the bathrooms at school

From standing on stage singing at church to standing in front of the whole class explaining why I can’t spell

I am from pretending to be someone i'm not to not being afraid of being me

I am from crying because of the scratches done to my knee when learning to ride my bike

to crying myself to sleep every night thinking, is this it for me

From only seeing family once every four years to never seeing them at all

I am from being labeled as the girl from the other country

Being treated differently because I couldn't speak English as well

I am from classmates with Wonder Bread sandwiches to being in the corner eating my rice and beans

I am from no dreams to big dreams

From people calling me worthless to smart

From dark brutal days to light happy years

I am from family

A family who is loud and crazy and are proud to be who they are

Who loves each other very much and always has the hope of seeing each other again

From the storytellers to the story writers and from the chefs and feasters

From rice and beans on casual days to feasts for family gatherings

I am from loud Portuguese music, always dancing with my family when we had the opportunity to be together

 

I am from Brasil. The place I call home.  The place that is home.

A destination where my family is and where I belong

I am from I will see you again

From distance means so little when someone means so much

 

I am from greetings of tears of happiness to goodbyes with the tears of sorrow

Always having the hope of seeing them but knowing I may not

Now, I know you might think my life was sad, but there are memories I am glad to have

Memories that show who I am and exactly where I'm from