Where I’m From
Posted By Zube on July 25, 2011
This week’s prompt was “Where I’m From.”
My submission:
I am from refrigerator boxes stuffed with pillows anticipating children leaping off the top bunk, from Budweiser and well done steak.
I am from the gray house with black shutters and a white picket fence…average, unassuming, warm and welcoming, teaming with giggles.
I am from the yellow reflection of a buttercup on Mom’s chin, a child’s wish floating in the breeze on the fluffy seeds of a dandelion.
I am from backyard picnics and jutting chins, from Uncle John and Aunt Donna and Mom-Mom.
I am from the requisite laughter that follows the requisite silence acknowledging sorrow and the steadfast determination to laugh more than we cry.
From, “…friends will come and go but your brother and sisters will always be there,” and, “…know how to sew a button and change a tire. Never need someone to take care of you.”
I am from Sunday School every week. First Holy Communion. Confirmation. From arduous practice of rituals but lax devotion to lapsed Catholicism to simply The Golden Rule. And Love thy Brother. And Sisters.
I’m from tanned parents on an island paradise. From a now defunct naval base at the topmost corner of the Bermuda Triangle.
From Mom’s baked macaroni and cheese with stewed tomatoes and Taco Night.
From the parents who would return home on a Friday night, one calling down to announce their arrival while the other spied through the basement window watching us frantically hiding beer under the pool table, laughing privately before admonishing us publicly. From the Dad who skipped school and joined the navy because those guys were nice and the army guys laughed at his long hair. From the telling and retelling and re-retelling over too many a beer of years passed teenage shenanigans.
I am from the clothes basket in the attic, brimming with photos of four children, letters home from college, meticulously crafted macaroni picture frames and an arm cast covered with long forgotten, long grown childrens’ names.
I am from unphotographed, unchronicled spontaneous embrace.
I am from more love than could ever fill that basket.
About The Author
I’ve been following you for years….I’m a friend of “Chickie” and stared blogging WAY back when we all started blogging. Have taken a hiatus to do the FB thing, but had a major upheaval in my life, and thought I should journal/blog about it.
Anywho, this is phenomenal. I didn’t have the exact same upbringing, but pretty damned close. You writing is so eloquent, yet…I don’t know how to explain it. Real. When I read what you write, I think “EXACTLY!! That’s what I would have said, had I been the writer I wanted to be.”
Keep it up. I’ll be one of the first in line whenever you DO publish those memoirs.
<3
Derp. That link goes to an old blog. My current one is under this email. *Becky
*sniff*
This was just… so perfect and wonderful. I’m really digging your prompts here, pass them along, if you can or don’t mind because I really need the inspiration.
This is just lovely!