July 28, 2007 @ 5:59 pm | Filed under: Uniquely Me

I am from wooden clothespins, from large boxes of powdered Tide and freshly laundered clothes hung out on the line in the backyard to dry.

I am from the cozy 3-bedroom, 2-bath home on Bayshore Dr., where pink & red shag carpet lined my bedroom wall-to-wall. I am from the Mimosa trees in the front yard, the tree house in the back, and from the red rose bushes with the awful thorns that grew each Spring on the side of the house.

I am from neighborhood get-togethers, from summertime homemade ice cream, and from Vienna Sausages and pork ‘n beans eaten at roadside parks while on vacations. I am from Rudy and Nancy, from Glen and Leona, and from Dewie and Marie.

I am from days of playing Nancy Drew, singing along to vinyl-coated 45s, and crushing on Parker Stevenson and Shaun Cassidy. 

I’m from Barbies and a baby doll named Rosie, but I’m also from the land of Legos, army men, Evel Knievel – and anything else my younger brother happened to be doing.

I am from readers and learners, from hard workers, from tin lunch boxes and a leaky Thermos. I am from stubborness and bull-headedness, from loud talking, from genorosity and from laughter.

I am from the small pink-bricked United Pentecostal Church in the heart of town. The one that many perceived to be on the wrong side of the tracks, but the very one where Easter picnics, spaghetti suppers, and hour-long messages from a dear silver-headed preacher make up some of my most prized childhood memories.

I’m from Texas, through and through, from gulfshore streams to the Piney woods, and right here to the bustling metroplex. I’m from history buffs, story tellers, and lovers of all things Christmas-y.

I am from "perserverence and persistence" and from "love God and love others." I’m from recycled plastic ware and grocery sacks, long before "going green" was the going thing.

I am from school carnivals and sleep-overs, from family holidays with turkey and cornbread dressing and Pepto-Bismol and cousins camped out on pallets in the den.  I’m from memories tucked away in cedar chests, from weightless wonders of hand-sewn quilts. I am from hope and happiness.