I live in a
A small little city and in the country
And in a big beige house with an even bigger green yard
I live on a
Long paved highway, busy most of the time
Surrounded by trees, tall, green and pointy.
I live on a
Long rocky driveway covered with mud and stones
Fields across the street where goats like to play.
I live in a
Tiny little room, just big enough for me
On the 2nd floor, one window gives me light.
My tiny little room
Twinkly lights hanging from the ceiling, looks like I am under the stars
And a ceiling fan that doesn’t work, as well as, broken yellow clock.
My big beige house
Built with warm wooden walls, made of “Naughty Pine”
Warmed by a hot metal woodstove,  cooled by a fan.
You see, this is where I live.
I live with
Fruit aging on the counter, bananas are always ripening
And my grandparents downstairs, the best kind of neighbors.
I live with
The smell of farmers cutting hay every evening
And roosters crowing in the morning to wake me up.
I live with
Dinner at 5:30, Chicken and Rice
And “sweet tooth’s”, and “what’d you get for dessert?” every night
You see, this is how I live.
I am used to
Karaoke in the living room, singing just like Cher.
And dancing in the kitchen, making a fool out of myself.
I am used to
Celebrating everyone's birthday, cake, ice cream, the works!
And cookie jars filled with candy, Twix and Cookies and Cream.
I am used to
Memorial Day parades; standing in the front lawn
And Fourth of July Barbeques, grilling burgers until they’re burnt.
I am used to
Grocery Shopping on Saturdays, hitting the local shops.
And Neighbors who know my first name, my age; and what I want for Christmas.
I am used to
There always being music, no matter the genre.
Whether it’s in my head or not, I am usually humming it in some way.
You see, this is what I am used to.
I am from
The school band marching in the village, people dancing on their porch.
And the Choir concerts on Thursdays 4 times a year.
I am from
Apple picking in the fall
And picking out the perfect jack o'lantern for Halloween
I am from
Saying that God is good, and thanking him for our food
But only on Thanksgiving Day
I am from
Having Faith and really meaning it,
Trying to stay serious through my dad’s long rants
I am from
Costume Parades and going to the lake
Swimming in cheap little pools in the side yard
I am from
Crying because your happy
And Crying even more because you are sad
I am from
A small little school; with only  a couple hundred kids.
Where hello’s are expected and always accepted.
I am from
The dogs in the yard, running laps around the house.
And jumping on the trampoline; doing patterns, knees butt feet!
I am from
Playing with the sprinklers, and spraying the hose.
And feeding the chickens and trying not to cry.

You see, this is where I am from.
In my family
We always say we are sorry even if we were in the wrong.
And we hug it out, and give all the smooches and the “lovens.”
In my family
We go to concerts, and softball games galore
And we talk politics at the dining room table.
In my family
We dance like we have ants in our pants and our pointer fingers up.
And sing like we are on stage,
In my family
We laugh and giggle
And we love our grizzly bear snuggles.
In my family
We have dates, weather it Minecraft or Grammy ones
We have battles with swords, than flop in “our bed.”
In my family
We all fight, storm off and get mad.
We might “go to our rooms and cry.”
In my family
We watch the news during dinner
And movies on Friday night.
In my family
“Everyone kisses and everyone grins,
Everyone cuddles and everyone wins”
You see, this is what we do in my family.
This is where I live.
This is how I live.
This is what I am used to.
This is where I am from.