Where I Come From

I am from the sun kissed air; fresh salty breeze. From Oreos and chocolate milk. From Barbies and play dough. I am from secret dungeons in closets and the Harry Potter room. From stairs turned to slides and floors turned to pools. I am from the sunflower and palm trees, the roar of ocean waves. I am from grandmothers. Bev and Jo- strong willed and forever talking, but loving just the same. I am from a world where we are determined. A world where we never give up. I am from it will get better and it hurts to be beautiful. I am from closed fists and roaming hands. From tears and sadness. I am from microwaved music and vanilla ice cream cones. I am from three hours on Sunday, two hours on Wednesday. From early morning studying and red pencils. From all white weddings. I am from the preschool house, the gardens of Hawaii, the street you don’t walk on after dark. From shame and humiliation. I am from a talker, a lover, a survivor. From women who battle to make things right. From caring and trusting, just like them. I am from loving, from working, from never giving up. The road sure was rough, but the journey was worth it.