I am from the cat running across the dog’s back,
The dog crashing into a fence, From Country Meal bread and Kraft Mac-&-Cheese.

I am from the run-down house that needs to be condemned,
Two acres of land with hills of dirt, an old rope swing
In a 100-foot tree, wind chimes in an archway, tall windows,
A prism in the kitchen window, spinning rainbows glimmering on the walls,
From a small youth room filled with friends,
And an AWANA Club to keep me accountable,
Raindrops glistening like jewels on a fern.

I am from the flower on the edge of the cliff,
Clinging to the hope of security and the promise of life,
The waterfall pouring into a peaceful pool,
Giving of myself to others,
Enjoying supporting them until they can swim,
I’m the mist in the breeze, gone in an instant, but bringing joy for awhile.
I am from hunting eggs on Easter and reading constantly,
My head in the clouds and my eyes on the Eastern sky,
From Cheryl and Robert and a long line of Will’s, Early’s, and Pershings

I am from the lover of libraries and a quiet clashing of wills within my mind,
From NOT letting life pass you by And always being who I am

I am from a faith in a King Who died for me,
A hope of life and love
I’m from an old rugged cross draped in silk,
Adorned with blood and tears
From an empty tomb and streets of rejoicing Where there are no more tears
And I’m from the peace that comes from the knowledge of never being alone.

I am from the city of Tucson, Sweden, Germany, England, Scotland,
Ireland, the Choctaw tribe,
I’m a citizen of Heaven, from the Ark and the Garden,
From a school, a community I can trust,
Friends who’ll hold me, wipe away my tears,
From a youth group called The Gathering to lift me up in prayer to
edify me, and me them.
From the car that met a guardrail and didn’t survive, The girl in the
chapel hearing the voice of God,
And from Hamburgers and Wild Cherry Pepsi

I am from albums on a shelf, a baby book written in love,
A clumsily written school years book,
Pictures drawn in a childish hand,
Photos in a box,
A footlocker of clothes and toys out on the porch,
Memories of friends and family,
Favorite books with worn pages, music books with each song stickered,
mastered,
A beaded bracelet, a painted cross,
A tear, a laugh, a sigh
I am from Heaven and I long to go home
I want my friends to be there, too, When I see my Daddy, with His
Nail-scarred Hands.