# data[].attributes.body
I am from warm blankets
From Pillsbury cinnamon rolls and crispy bacon
I am from the smell of candles burning in every room (warm, flickering, it filled every corner)
I am from the hen and chicks
the old oak tree
whose bark I pulled off to play bank
every time I was there.
I am from Tuesday night suppers and lots of laughs.
From Lenny and Sandy
I'm from card games and family vacations
From "Suck it up, buttercup" and "I love you"
I'm from Sunday morning church and yet again on Wednesday night
I'm from St. Louis and the Cobb's and Martin's,
Peter Pan peanut butter and popcorn
From my papa moving from Michigan to start a family
from my meema in southeast Missouri
Every wall holds memories, young and old,
From the bonds that hold our family together.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from love

Both bitter and sweet

I am from peace

Dysfunction, disorder, and tranquility

I am from family.

Broken, torn, and resilient

I’m from grape soda, lawn chairs, and soul food on a cool summer night

From the humbling streets of St. Louis city

I’m from heartbreak

I’m from motherhood. Difficult, beautiful, and priceless

I’m from working long graveyard shifts so that I’m home to see my child smile first thing in the morning.

I’m from fake tea parties and homework assignments due at 11:59

From shoe boxes stuffed in my closet full of good memories I’m afraid to forget

I’m from taking the long way home to finish a good song

From baggy t shirts dancing to Beyoncé on repeat.
I am from self love and peace found within myself

# data[].attributes.body
Where I Am From

a long gravel path, my driveway is what it is

among the trees, hidden deep, where a family lives

they fish in the lake to the left, there’s a levy back to the right

away from the city, when the sun goes down, the stars shine bright at night

you can hear the crickets sing, and the frogs talk all night long

I consider them a choir singing a beautiful moonlight song

you should see the snow glisten along rolling fields at night

you’d never see a full moon reflect so luminousnescently bright

to think it started with a family of nine

a mom and dad , 7 kids when you combine

but now they’ve grown, had kids, and moved on

other families, other homes, and picket fenced lawns

but my favorite days are when we all revisit that gravel road

all in the living room, Christmas movies on, after it has snowed

my dad makes a fire, mother’s making snacks

its much more crowded now, but with much more love and laughs

I still remember old times and there’s better ones to come

but no matter what this hidden home, is where I am from

# data[].attributes.body
I am from bon fires and smores on hot summer nights
I am from Florida vacations and early morning wake boarding
I am scary movies and family dinners
From troop leader parents and late night hugs
I am from soccer and cheerleading filled weekends
I am margaritas on Saturday afternoons and picnics in the park
From pumpkin patches to cinnamon candles
I am from misunderstandings and mental health centers
I am from lies and deceit and a false sense of safety
I am from a broken family
From guilt ridden conversations
I am stronger than my families mistakes
From changing my life for myself and drumming my own beat

# data[].attributes.body
I'm from St. Charles
but that's not quite right
I'm from steep hills
and staying up at night
walking to school
(and everywhere else)
I sometimes couldn't ignore
what they said and how I felt.
Blowing cartridges
to "play the game"
absences from school
too many to name
severe asthma
was usually to blame
Upon going back
a stack of homework I claimed
Important lessons were learned from these times
I'm capable of reaching great heights
If I'm willing to climb
And perseverance is like most other skills
The more its put to work
The more it's capable to build.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from trailer parks,

From broken homes and forgotten dreams.

I am from the excitement of six flags every summer,

(Where the only time we could tear dad away from his addiction, even if it's just for a little while).

I am from extreme Pentecostal.

From a place where they take "spare the rod and spoil the child" to the extreme.

I'm from a place that people forgot about.

From a place that's poor, but get's no attention because we're not the inner city.

I'm from the place where we raised ourselves.

From the nobody cares about you. You're not going to amount to anything, anyways.

I went from hopeless to hopeful. I made a way for myself.

From resilience and perseverance.

I’m from a place where we didn't have "boot straps" to "pick ourselves up" with.

Leaving behind the stereotypes and helplessness. I am determined to break this vicious cycle.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from candle-filled rooms and dusty sports memorabilia lining the bookshelves.

I am Steak ‘n Shake chili and green bottles of Pert shampoo.

I am from the so clean it looks like no one lives here household. Room smelling of Febreze, bleach, and alcohol.

I am from tall elephant ear plants that hide the windows just so that no one can see that the family relationships are the true mess that will never be cleaned.

I’m from trivia games and laughing too loud.

From my Lohmann teeth and my Christman attitude, I am a perfect bundle of both maiden names.

I’m from the always needing to be 20 minutes early, and refusing to be walked upon but letting her do it anyways.

From “suck it up buttercup” to “if you’re not bleeding or throwing up, don’t bother me”

I’m from 7am Catholic mass and bow your head to pray because I said so.

I’m from the hills of Ireland and the broken down walls of Germany. Grandma’s pecan pie, and Gus’ pretzels.

From the slammed doors, and hushed screams.

I am from the generation who has been told that mental health means nothing.

# data[].attributes.headline
Where I’m FromI’m from the bare feet brushing against the cool grassI’m from the string of street lights illuminating concrete rivers as children's laughter echoes through the silenceI’m from the frog gigging, crawdad catching, catfish wrangling dirt roadsI’m from the single mother who taught her daughter resilience and persistenceI’m from the warming embrace of a large family cheering the good timesI’m from the kitchen of boiling spatzle, roasting cabbage rolls and cold german potato saladI’m from love and life. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Where I’m FromI’m from the bare feet brushing against the cool grassI’m from the string of street lights illuminating concrete rivers as children's laughter echoes through the silenceI’m from the frog gigging, crawdad catching, catfish wrangling dirt roadsI’m from the single mother who taught her daughter resilience and persistenceI’m from the warming embrace of a large family cheering the good timesI’m from the kitchen of boiling spatzle, roasting cabbage rolls and cold german potato saladI’m from love and life. 

# data[].attributes.body
I am from apple butter 
From Great Value and Kirklands 
I am from the dog hair, white, long, cold
I am from Magnolia, 
A tall blooming tree whose leaves will never go away,
I am from double desserts and mustaches
From Kathy and Matt
I am from the tough love and persistence,
From patience is a virtue and ”I have more annoying things in my purse”, 
I am from Catholicism and atheism, a strong hold on my heart, 
I am from St. Louis, South Dakota, Denver, and Puerto Rico, 
Homemade bread, and smoke meats 
From the moving away, across the country only to not be seen for months, 
The female engineer who has been resilient 
A junk drawer 
A place where everything is lost and nothing is remembered. 

# data[].attributes.body
I am from the farm land.
From Ski and Busch Latte's.

I am from the small town of Columbia IL teeny, caring, sounds of crickets and frogs.

I am from corn fields, tall and filled with deer.

I'm from Christmas Eve at home and hard workers.

From Pam and Mark.

I'm from the hard working and athleticism.

From being shy and tough as nails.

I'm from Sunday School, followed by Captain Dee's.

I'm from Cahokia Illinois family BBQ's, Mississippi Mud Pie.

From never turn your back on your family and always be there for the ones you love.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from tube televisions.
From Morton's salt and patriot pops.

I am from the house across a helicopter on display
with bricks, a bench, and the smell of fish fry on Fridays.

I am from dandelions,
found throughout the front and backyard of my childhood home.

I'm from Christmas dinners at the casino, and a red-haired relative born every generation.

From living with my Great Grandparents and my Mother.

I'm from the family that mostly resides in my hometown and frequent birthday celebrations.

From "be honest if you want to be taken seriously," and "brush your teeth twice a day."

I'm from indifference to worship, and following your own path in life.

I'm from a St. Louis family with German ancestors, pizzas on holidays and birthday parties, and ice cream to go with it.

From the Great Grandfather who lost a friend while fighting kamikaze pilots in WWII at age 17.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from corner stores
filled with candy and lollipops. Cash registers and store credits.
I am from old school r&b, jazz, and hip hop
I am from a single mother and a host of family
I am from a village that made me who I am
I am from a put your feelings last and other peoples first
I am from work hard and play harder
I am from owning your flaws and striving for better.
I am from city streets and block parties
I am from family first always
I am from a social worker
I am from kids are the future reach one teach one
Never give up

# data[].attributes.body
I am from couches
From Samsung and and Apple products
I am from the crumbs on the kitchen floor
small, tasty, gritty on the feet
I am from sunflowers, northern red oaks, whose wood is strong like me
I'm from board games and hazel eyes
From O'Connell and McCormacks
I'm from the staying up late and being loyal
From standing up straight and shoulders back
I'm from the father, the son, and the holy spirit of the Catholic Faith
I'm from Irish compassion and midwestern hospitality
Mom's lasagna and toll house chocolate chip cookies
From the 15 marathons my dad completed and countless tennis tournaments my mom was never defeated

# data[].attributes.body
I am from poorly conceived paintings of green grass and white picket fences

What looks good from the outside doesn’t always match the inside

I am from being afraid of the darkness because you never know what lies within

Everyone has their hidden agendas and cannot be trusted

I am from a mother’s love that could never be shaken

She’s the reason I’m still here

I am from long nights of endless homework and assignments

I’m ready to just graduate already

I am from flower crowns and sunlight

I am one with nature and love it

I am from binge-watching tv shows and never-ending Marvel films

I lowkey wish I was superhero

I am from St. Louis, USA and love the city that made me

I am from a God who loves me and shows me everyday

Life has it’s hard times but it’s never forever

# data[].attributes.body
I am from green grass
From Carhart and Adidas
I am from the sun, bright, and cheerful
I am from the breeze,
On a cool spring day

I’m from Thanksgiving Football and family dinners
From Christy and Tom
I’m from the reunions and potlucks
From bright blue eyes and toothy grins

I’m From Lutheran School and Sunday morning services,
I’m from Germany and Poland too,

From deep fried turkey and lobster mac and cheese,
From falling off a bike to learning to drive stick shift,

The memories of Grandpa’s farm,
Papa’s Boat,
The memories I will never forget

# data[].attributes.body
I am from Overland, St.Charles, & Chesterfield

From divorced parents & abusive step parents.

I am from love, betrayal, and instability. From the support of my grandparents and extended family.

I am from battling my mental health

From the strength I found in myself.

I am from self love and acceptance

From traveling the world and growing up.

I am from the peace I found within

From the best friends that never gave up on me.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from body wash
From dove and bath and body works
I am from the cut-de-sac
blue, bricks, music blasting
I am from butterflies, white and small
I'm from Christmas dinners, and curly hair
From Rylie and Brycen
I'm from loud laughing and holidays together
From "stop running in and out of the house" and "we have food at home"
I'm from Missouri, Florida, and Georgia.
Dressing, sweet potatoes
From the stepping on glass tables and falling through
The teaching how to ride a bike and falling off
Grandparents house.
Nothing is forgotten or lost.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from love
But I am broken
I am from nothing
But I built myself up
I am from family parties
But not everyone comes
I am from hand me down clothes
But I survived
I am from hugs and loving memories
But I also have scars
I am from STRONG WOMEN
But I also want love
I am a wife, mother, and believer in overcoming anything.

# data[].attributes.body
I am from the flowers
From Round-up and Miracle Grow
I am from the culd-de-sac
Hot, rough, and toe-stubbing
I am from the daisies
That grow back every year
I am from the game nights and laughter
From Charles Fitzgerald and Robert Herd
I am from the pool days at grandmas and condo in Siesta Key
From "hold on folks!" and "who would do this?"
I'm from Christians and going to church weekly
I am from St. Peters, Missouri
Eating pizza and homemade popcorn
I am from the memories made and memories lost

# data[].attributes.body
I am from Saint Charles,
filled with people and bars.
I am from a big family,
cousins turned to siblings,
still family even if we fight.
I am from Clearwater Beach.
Post-Corner Pizza and a walk to the pier.
Summers spent here,
where my mind feels so clear.
I am 22 and figuring my life out.
How to be positive without a doubt.
22 with plenty of responsibilities,
I keep telling myself,
it's time to be free.