Saturday, July 23, 2011

Where I'm From

I am from marbles & flip flops,
from Rainbow Brite and Cheeco's {Haitian cheese snack}.

I am from the balmy sun,
island breezes,
tropical thunderstorms,
and gorgeous sunsets over the mountains of Hispaniola.

I am from the exotic hibiscus of the Caribbean
and sunny marigolds of the US East Coast,
from playing on sandy beaches
and climbing brilliant flamboyant trees for the "perfect" flower.

I am from crab-pickers, loud-laughers, & cat-lovers,
from Brumbleys and Scotts and Howards and Johnsons.

I am from playing Monopoly on the balcony during night time blackouts
and BIG FAMILY holiday gatherings with dumplings and gravy.

From "Look it up!" when we asked how to spell something,
"No substitute words" {darn, shoot, etc},
and "Be true to yourself and to the Lord."

I am from ♪ Praise Him, Praise Him....
{with our own words added in}
♪....praise Him when the generator's broke, praise Him when the truck's broke down. ♪,
from holding onto Jesus for all you are worth, living a life of integrity,
and praising Him with exuberant hands & joyous dancing.

I'm from Creole-speaking streets and English/Irish roots
and from Haitian rice & beans, Granny's corn pudding,
homemade chocolate icing and ripe, juicy mangos....mmhmmm!

From the surprise 12th birthday where my face turned SO red,
the Christmas where some of Aunt Bonnie's "balls" were missing from the tree,
and from my mom hiding under the couch to surprise my dad and scaring a little boy instead.

I am from the little girl dreaming on the rooftop,
yellowed pictures surrounded by the boys my parents raised in the orphanage,
from practical dreamers & logical adventurers
and from a house filled with "Be your own person"
and "You can be anything you want to be"
and most of all....unconditional, I-will-always-be-in-your-corner-to-fight-for-you LOVE!



I saw this idea on my friend Anna's page a few months ago, but never got around to doing it and then I forgot, but then this week, I saw it on my blogger pal, Stephanie's site, and I decided that I wanted to join in too!! If you would like to do your own {and I hope that you do and let ME know if you do}, check out the Where I'm From template.


Linked with..........


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33 comments:

Chasing Joy said... Best Blogger Tips

This is a really cute poem.  I'll try to do one too. It does seem a little challenging though.

aunt Bonnie said... Best Blogger Tips

We will never forget that Christmas or who's balls weren't on the tree that year.

Jenn said... Best Blogger Tips

Ooh I love this! I had a friend do it for her blog too…thanks for including the link to the template.

stephsday said... Best Blogger Tips

I'm SO glad you decided to do this writing exercise. Wasn't it FUN?

Also - You are remarkable. I just want you to know that.

stephsday said... Best Blogger Tips

P.S. "Logical Adventurer." I like that. In fact, it may end up in my vocabulary.

Carole said... Best Blogger Tips

Am just reading this now...you told me you were working on that one when we talked by phone.  I love it because I can just picture it all.  Very nice !!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Yay! I would love for you to use it! 

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

So fun! And seriously...you are too kind!  You words mean a lot to me because I know that they are heartfelt!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Cool! Let me know if you put it on your blog...would love to read it!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Hahahaha!!  Yeah! I thought that I would keep a little mystery in the way I told the story!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

It did take me some time, but SO worth it and SO fun!  Let me know if you do it!  Would love to read yours!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks, Carole! I am so glad that you like it! I am excited with how it all came together!

hyacynth said... Best Blogger Tips

I love your piece! It's wonderful, and it's so very descriptive. I laughed out loud at the Praise Him when the generators broken and at Aunt Bonnie's missing Christmas balls. :)

Beautifulthingsoutofus said... Best Blogger Tips

It all sounds lovely--your home, your family, your descriptions of them all.  It sounds as though you are from a beautiful place. :)

Jade @ Tasting Grace said... Best Blogger Tips

Sounds lovely!

Dianna said... Best Blogger Tips

Visiting from Mama Kat's. Love your post! This is such an interesting prompt. It's so much fun to learn about others and what shaped the person each of them is today.
Thanks for sharing!

Diane@Bestillaminute said... Best Blogger Tips

You painted a beautiful picture of your childhood here.  Loved the line about your mom trying to surprise your dad and scaring a little boy instead!  Came over from Mama Kat's.  

Grams said... Best Blogger Tips

Stopping by from Mama Kat's. This is my all time favorite writing prompt. I especially like "I am from the balmy sun, island breezes,
tropical thunderstorms,
and gorgeous sunsets over the mountains of Hispaniola."

Well done!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks, girl!  I am so glad you enjoyed it! Those stories make me smile too!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you so much!  I have amazing people in my world!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

I agree! It took awhile, but it was fun to do!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks...that was a funny story!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Aww...thank you!  I am glad that you liked it!

Modern Gypsy said... Best Blogger Tips

Dropping by from Mama Kat's. You've evoked your past, the events that shaped you, beautifully.

Tatter Scoops said... Best Blogger Tips

Very lovely! Sounds like a beautiful childhood memories :) Thanks for sharing!

mayger said... Best Blogger Tips

So different than where I am from.  Your words filled my imagination.~May

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you so much. It was a challenging yet fun exercise!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you! I really do have beautiful childhood memories, albeit different from the norm, I suppose. Thank you for stopping by!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Aww..May! How sweet is that! Thank you!!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Would you mind, ever so much, replying to this with your blog address so I can pop over and read Where You Are From. Would love to enjoy your journey with you..

mayger said... Best Blogger Tips

Of course, I would not mind! www.mayachieveclarity.com

Polish Mama on the Prairie said... Best Blogger Tips

I love this.  Very different in some ways from where I am from.  But you certainly perked my ears up at crab picking and Rainbow Brite.  Well written.

Polish Mama on the Prairie said... Best Blogger Tips

Very different in many ways from where I am from.  But Rainbow Brite and crab picking perked my ears up.  Well written.

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