I am From

Normally, I hate poetry, but I wanted to share something that I wrote during my sophomore year of college and I've added to it.  It was an assignment for one of my teaching classes and I loved it.

I am From

Yes, I am odd :)

I am from dust, spiritual dust and industrial gravel dust.
I am from a park with no toys, only small trailers with small children inside wire fences.
I am from flowers, which I would string through my hair, with my older sister on the hill behind our first real house.
I am from the third tree outside my elementary school that was my only friend for a year until I made three best friends.
I am from kissing boys behind trashcans and hearts doting my i's.
I am from a moving truck, during the first year of high school and the stubborn attitude that left me friendless for another year of my life.

I am from a group of friends that I love as my brothers and sisters.
I am from three separate rides on Disney dreams near the ocean touching the coast of Florida.
I am from the graveside of eight loved ones, six that went long before it was their time.
I am from a youth conference, a man who was a missionary, and a song that says "Take, take, take it all."
I am from black ink pens and white paper, which will tell my story and all the stories that roll around in my head.

I am from a loving family, unbeatable friends, and an all-powerful God.

I am from a tub of warm water, submerging me and rising me again like my Lord.
I am from two hands and feet nailed to a cross, a sacrifice and acceptance of forgiveness.

I will go to the ends of the earth to love an orphan in a penny-less world.
I will go to serve and give as much as my heart allows.
I will go as long as I can or until God calls me home.

I will never give up on my dreams and I will never back down.
I will go because of what I am from.

I am who I am and I’m happy being me.