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..........

and

Mama Kat's Losin' It