I am from

A poem in progress. I wrote a former version of this poem as an exercise for a session at res life training, and I actually really loved it. I don't really write poems, and I'm not so great at it either, but I did enjoy writing this one.

I am from

I am from
my mother
the most caring woman
my father
the most adventurous man
the constant buzz and companionship of my siblings
the loving arms of my grandparents
family
the taste of McDonalds hamburgers
but also the deliciousness of fresh sushi and dim-sum
boba tea every friday night after youth group and church on sundays
creativity
an over active imagination
the belief in a magical world
the belief of fairies and leprechauns
weekly trips to the happiest place on earth
weekly trips to see Snoopy and friends
conservative, yet not too conservative values
the saying that if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it
the golden rule
the knowledge that God loves me
the idea that Jesus is in my heart
the reality that money does not come on trees
the endless fields of Bakersfield, California
the loving home of San Dimas, California
the small island of American Samoa
the outdoors of Lake Oswego, Oregon
the clouds of West Linn, Oregon
the suburbs of Irvine, California
the wheat fields and sweet onions of Walla Walla, Washington
the gloom of Tacoma, Washington
wishes and dreams
the discovery of my purpose to love and to be loved
the multitude of all the experiences and opportunities I've been given
the opportunity to receive an amazing high school education
the opportunity to to pursue a college degree at not one, but three different colleges
the opportunity to discover and pursue my dreams
the struggles of leaving a place that I came to love
the thought of moving forward and keeping myself busy to keep myself falling into a mindless state of tiredness and depression
the idea that I must get the highest grades to validate my self worth
the endless hours of studying
the pursuit of something different
the idea that I must succeed
the water
the ocean
the swimming pool
the summer days spent splashing and swimming in the waters
the feel of stand between my toes
flip flops and bare feet
the obstacles and joys of swimming and water polo
the ambition and strive I have to live a full life
not settling for less, but striving to the best
the many friendships I have made
the permanent bonds I have made with these friends, who I may call my second family
love
I am from...