Where I'm From

I read this post from Sarah at Beauty School Drop Out and fell in love. 

This post is inspired by hers, except I got lazy and didn't stick with the cadence of the original piece. 
I urge you to read Sarah's post and also the post she got the inspiration from - 
both are great pieces of writing.

We spend so much time talking and writing about where we are now and where we're going. As we get older, it's easy to let the places we're from slip through our fingers; to forget why we are how we are... what formed us that stayed with us and what we had to break away from.

I'm from family gatherings where people arrange themselves in loose circles that expand to fit more and not everyone who is called aunt or uncle is related by blood.

I am from talking over each other and laughing loudly and nicknames and telling stories.

I'm from encouragement and love and high expectations.

I'm from a large high school with a stadium you can see lit up from the highway on Friday nights in the fall.

I'm from an area rich in history, filled with commemorative plaques of things that happened as this country was being born.

I'm from a line of women who were not afraid to speak their minds and teach little girls that it was right to do the same.

I'm from lifelong friendships planted in my youth where those friends know more about me than I can remember about myself.

I'm from work first, play later; and do it the right way, not the easy way.

I'm from yearly shore vacations, from people who don't miss voting in elections, from rule followers and planners and from Action News fans.

I'm from a stay outside until twilight childhood.

I am from clean but lived in houses, radios kept on low in kitchens, from the complicated and familiar smell of home.

I am from the tomatoes in Pop's garden, the leaf piles at the Legion, the soup on the stove, and the books on every available shelf.

From you can't say you don't like it if you haven't tried it and ripe, sweet strawberries for dessert.

I am from CCD classes and solemn Sunday mass with my Grandmom, where I sat in a pew and counted beams on the ceiling.

I'm from corned beef and cabbage and spaghetti and meatballs and everything baked from scratch.

I am from photos in albums and memories in navy lockers and hope chests.

Where are you from?

Lots of friends out there with birthdays today - HAP, Alicia, Kate. Enjoy, ladies. Treat yoself!

 Linking up with Shanna for Random Wednesday