I am From

By Kelli

I am from sour kraut soup, homemade pickles, and strudels that melted in my mouth with each and every bite taken.

I am from falling asleep night after night with Bankey under one arm and Pillow under the other, and nights I could not because they were missing.

I am from playing chicken in the street, roller-skating rinks in my garage and playing in Gary’s grass just to make him angry.

I am from the tree where countless hours were spent pretending we were characters from the Lion King and our snow hut we put a whole day’s work into only to find it destroyed the next morning.

I am from road trips with my parents rocking out to Carly Simon hits like “Your So Vain” and “Legend in Your Own Time”

I am from Regina’s untimely death by her own cage and playing horses during recess with our scarves that were knit with love from our mothers.

I am from watching the Mighty Ducks trilogy, Angel’s in the Outfield, and Brink time after time until my parents took them away.

I am from playing apple smosh in our backyard with all the neighbor kids and pushing Katie down the stairs more than once.

 I am from Duck Hunt and Kool-Aid, crack the whip and the rumble seat, going to Tennessee and catching crawdads.

I am from many memories good and bad that will stay with me for the rest of my life.