I am from stuffed animals
from green, fat, fluffy frogs and teddy bears whose size was larger than life
I am from the tan one story bungalow on the corner
and the sunflowers within the kitchen
(yellow, bright, it looked like the sun).
I am from carnations which scented perfume through the air and that Hackberry tree
whose branches swayed in the wind and the leaves danced on them

I am from Hot Wheels: Beat That! and My Little Pony: Keep Calm and Pony On!
from Trisha and Mark
I am from the athletics and the artistics
from perk up! and keep it down!
and from never give up on something you really want
it’s difficult to win but it’s more difficult to regret

I am from thank you god, amen and the prayers I say everyday.      I am from Ruth and Russ
from heart shaped sausage pizza and homemade cheesy mac and cheese
from the job my Grandmother quit to keep us safe
and from the fight my Grandfather had to save his life

On top of my dresser was a photo album overflowing childhood pictures
images of familiar faces
to remember the old and to create the new
I am from those moments captured before I sprouted
and memories till the day I die
I am a single leaf a part of my family tree