I am from a one-butt kitchen

From a cramped farmhouse

From animals bleating in the pasture

From 4-H projects and fair-time excitement.

I am from grandma’s house

And grandpa’s tractor

The farmhouse that has

Always been falling apart.

From camping in the backyard

and trampolines staked to the ground

From playing with cats

and other animals around

I am from finding my own fun

and making my own worlds

I am from bedtime stories and

Chapter books at the bus stop.

I am from teaching

and kindness

and love.

I am from yelling,

from cussing

From apology cookies in bed.

I am from mistakes

and lessons that had to be learned the hard way.

I am from just tagging along

because mom was in school,

From snacks from other adults

because good snacks were hard to find.

I am from Friday movie nights

and no T.V.

From “do you want me to give you something to cry about?”

From “Oh, I can just cut it off if it hurts that much.”

I am from sleepovers at my house

I am from space

I am from freedom

And I am from love.

I am from hugs

From cards

and from family

I am from happiness

And joy

And despair

It could be tough sometimes

But one thing was clear,

No matter what happened

they would always be here

To hold me tight when I need it

and make sure I grow up right

To spread kindness and love

without fear and without fight.