Im from

                                                  Im from a pretty brick house in the country

Im from a verdant backyard with the neighbors stray cats as regular visitors

-with a beautiful 3 sectioned tree my once tiny body would fit in the center of perfectly

Im from the cold basement with hand-me-down toys where I learned to use my imagination

The picture window where we used to put up halloween stickers seems to have shrunk

Im from the plastic toddler sized horse where I taught myself how to braid hair

Im from a cold white bunk bed in a hot pink bedroom that taught me not to put my fragile fingers in tiny holes i wont be able to get them out of

Im from a lime green bathroom with giant colorful flowers on the shower curtain and purple stick on earrings all over the countertops

Im from a messy kitchen where id eat bologna and sour cream straight out of the fridge

Im from the cozy brown garage where id slip on my dads giant boots

-and run around in a little green tankini with fish on it

Im from annual christmas nights in primrose at grandma and grandpas house 

Im from a cold hallow church where my cousins ran around after great grandpas funeral

Im from a town thats never cottled me but people who have always cared 

Im from multiple houses and parents that worked to make them homes

Im from the country of Petersburg where I played with my dogs

And the tiny town of Weston NE where I said my final goodbyes to the best dog and friend yet

I’m from the cement steps of the brick house where id sit and pick at the red buds on my mothers bush until they bled and stained my fingers bright orange

I’m from a world that showed me how to be accepting of others because of how others wouldn't Im from a queen sized bed with a teal comforter where I talked to a boy who taught me what love was

Im from a single mother who instilled me with a work ethic and my love for Jesus Christ

Who taught me love, empathy, and confidence 

Im from a father who taught me pride and perseverance, offers us constant support, and pushes us to be our best

Im from a grandfather with endless amounts of courage, strength, and stubbornness

Im from a grandmother packed with encouragement, bright smiles, and a heart full of pure love

I’m from a sister whos constantly instilling me with pride, teaching me how to follow God, and being a role model in our day to day lives

Im from a family where structured morals,strength, and hard work are valued

Im from old friends who’ve taught me how to let go of the past and live happily in the present

Im from a school of teachers who made me feel valued and important, who made me feel like my thoughts were nothing less than relevant

But most of all I come from myself. I taught me how to stay positive through the hardships, have the courage to laugh when others aren't, stand strong in my beliefs, and to love my own body as it has always loved me, cared for me, and housed the soul that has the potential to touch others the way they have touched mine

-olive