This is my story, this is my song (I am from)

I read another blog by the same title which got the idea to write from another blog challenging us all to write where we are from. I felt so inspired I needed to write my own...

I am from creation, from dust and a rib

I am from the hills of beautiful places I have never been and languages I've never spoken

I am from here, where my family sailed into the harbor in the 1600's

I am from servant hood, religious oppression and fear, the search of freedom

I am from the land, rough hands, strong backs and hard work

I am from kind men and strong women, big families and single mothers

I am from heroes who stood firm against war and those that lost their lives in them

I am from the crops of my ancestors who owned the same land for hundreds of years

I am from the love of two people who met at a department store

I am from adoption, from knowing what family is no matter what runs through your veins

I am from a small house in the heart of a town where my family were my neighbors

I am from stuffed animals, sunshine, dress up, Crayola crayons and cartwheels

I am from the holly tree in my back yard and my grandparents' porch

I am from humid nights and firefly catching, town parades and fireworks

I am from Friday pizza night, board and card games, Phase 10 and Parcheesi

I am from picnics, holidays in pretty dresses family and Sunday morning services

I am from friends I knew since I was small, youth group and summer camps

I am from the prayers of my parents over me

I am from a small liberal arts campus on the bay

I am from the love of a boy I met in the fall of my freshman year

I am from a kiss at the bay, a bench, a ring and a promise

I am from social work, justice and advocacy for the poor and disenfranchised in my community

I am from for better or worse, sickness and in health, from a blessed broken road

I am from sick families, doctor's visits, surgeries, chemo and radiation

I am from hospice and The Old Rugged Cross

I am from the front lines of the battle against domestic violence, courts, police departments and shelters

I am from safety, clients finding their strength and hope in brokenness

I am from the brokenness of an empty womb and empty arms

I am from invitro-fertilization, bed rest and children's hospital

I am from labor and joy unspeakable with the smell of new heaven

I am from honest and raw motherhood, mistakes, patience and growing pains

I am from kissed boo-boos and belly laughs

I am from babywearing, bedtime stories, impromptu dance parties and tears of gratitude

I am from a classroom and passion I didn't know I had

I am from the love and prayers of those who came before

I am from undeserved mercy and Amazing Grace, Great is Thy Faithfulness and It is Well With My Soul

I am from date nights, hand holding and affection that makes my kids cringe

I am from fairy wings, Disney movies and princesses

I am from not knowing what I want to be but knowing who holds my future

I am from joy and sorrow

I am from pain and beauty

I am from family

I am from faith

I am from love