In my Teaching Reading Through Writing course, we had to write our own version of Where I'm From by George Ella Lyon. This was an interesting assignment, so I wanted to share mine:

Where I'm From

I am from stables,
filled with horses and feed.
I am from hunting and shooting guns,
well if dad would let us, of course.

I am from running without shoes on
and getting locked out of the house.
I am from a line of hardworking men
and their domestic, loving wives.
I am from a large family,
always welcoming a new life at every holiday.
I am from living as a pastor's kid.
and being the last one to leave church.

I'm from singing in front of large crowds.
I'm from being a reflection of my parents, always.
I'm from mistakes and forgiveness.
I'm from high expectations and success.
I'm from change and inconsistency.
I'm from heartache and strength.

I'm from cricks and wa(r)shrooms.
I'm from Krekels and cheese toasties.
I'm from stinky factories and diverse communities.
I'm from strict rules and sheltered lifestyles.
I'm from Disney shows and original movies.
I'm from Dawson's Creek and One Tree Hill.

I'm from Backstreet Boys, Garth Brooks, and JoJo.
I'm from "Don't take the remote or my spot."
I'm from hand-me-downs and matching my sisters.
I'm from "Friends are temporary, family is forever."
I'm from eating watermelon on the porch with grandpa all summer.
I'm from sledding into trees with the neighbor kids all winter.

I'm from moving place to place.
I'm from starting fresh and new.
I'm from going on adventures.
I'm from learning to let go.

I pulled little things about my life that I remember vividly from growing up. I also included things that explain the people that surrounded me and not necessarily what I grew up from.

This assignment allowed me to look into my past and realize what some of the roots were that created who I am and the identities that I share with this world. This should encourage others to also look at who they are and what the world takes from what they are offering.

I want to encourage the readers of this article to take a look at yourself and what makes you who you are. I want this to show you how we all are so different. We have so many different pieces that add together to create us. That is such a beautiful thing. Start looking on the positive side of being different. Start loving others for every identity that they bring to the table.

The amount of hate that has occurred recently has been outrageous. We see it around. No one respects others anymore. If we want this world to be a more loving, caring, accepting world, we must start with ourselves. Accept who you are and accept those around you. Have those hard conversations with those around you that continue to spew hate all over. Life is so much more fun when you don't care what others think about you.