I am from chartreuse corduroy overalls,
Pixie pink frilly dresses;
From dainty little ballet slippers and Earthy cleats;
Saturday morning soccer matches,
And cuddling up with my favorite teddy bears.
I am from bare Barbie dolls and fishing off the dock;
From curls, ribbons, and bows,
And from sleepovers at Oma’s house
Where Opa gently combed my hair and read mysteries.

I am from mud pies in the garden,
Wooden ABC blocks coated in red, yellow, and blue;
From Vacation Bible School adventures,
And meeting you.
I am from preschool sand box buddy play dates,
Friday night’s football games,
And Conor’s sweet kiss.

I am from the sand squishing beneath my toes,
Fireflies dancing in my hand,
And Rachel, my beloved baby doll;
From snowmen sculpturing winter evenings,
And the candle blowing mid-Novembers.
I am from violin squeeling and big wheel maneuvering,
White water rafting at Cumberland Falls,
And bedtime prayers each night.
I am from Daddy’s butterfly kiss,
And Mommy’s tender embrace.

And from all of this,
I am me.
For it is through our past, we define our present,
And from our present, we mold our future.