# data[].attributes.body
I am from flatlands, lovingly coined Llano Estacado

Staked Plains turned farmland

Birthing grounds for haboobs and tumbleweed invasions

I am from bronze and aluminum

Liquid rivers from the furnace

Casting prosperity and fractured bankruptcy

I am from hard work, honesty, integrity

Stern expectations, no excuses

And salty popcorn on Sunday afternoons

I am from tears, laughter, uncertainty, joy

Birth and rebirth

Daughter, wife, mother in every order

I am from dog-eared pages iced in chocolate frosting

Furballs intrigued by sweaty gym socks

Back patio sun-filled martinis

I am from peace, quiet

And joyous never-ending noise

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I'm from a place I'll forever love. I can't help it. It made me who I am and I'm grateful.

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I am from a city in the Midsouth. A tri-state area city, it sits along side a river on a bluff. I am the youngest of six. (5 girls 1 boy) I attended Catholic school and the same church. Although, I lived medium sized city; I lived a sheltered life. My friends at school were my church friends too. I was not really allowed to play with neighborhood children and played mostly with siblings or children from my school. My favorite times seem to revolve around meals. I remember Saturday morning breakfast being smothered chicken and rice and homemade biscuits. Pizza or KFC was a Friday night surprise. Drive-in movies were the best when I was little and my family loves Horror movies to this day. Our house was small and my cousins envied us because they lived in apartments but when I visited school friends I couldn't believe the size of their homes and that they did not share bedrooms. I played all types of sports and was a cheerleaders from grades 1-8. I collected Bingo cards for the church bingo on Saturday nights and my mother worked the concession stand to help supplement our tuition. My church was very impactful part of my upbringing.  

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I am from a city in the Midsouth. A tri-state area city, it sits along side a river on a bluff. I am the youngest of six. (5 girls 1 boy) I attended Catholic school and the same church. Although, I lived medium sized city; I lived a sheltered life. My friends at school were my church friends too. I was not really allowed to play with neighborhood children and played mostly with siblings or children from my school. My favorite times seem to revolve around meals. I remember Saturday morning breakfast being smothered chicken and rice and homemade biscuits. Pizza or KFC was a Friday night surprise. Drive-in movies were the best when I was little and my family loves Horror movies to this day. Our house was small and my cousins envied us because they lived in apartments but when I visited school friends I couldn't believe the size of their homes and that they did not share bedrooms. I played all types of sports and was a cheerleaders from grades 1-8. I collected Bingo cards for the church bingo on Saturday nights and my mother worked the concession stand to help supplement our tuition. My church was very impactful part of my upbringing.  

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A family of six that always played tricks.
A family of boys and lots of loud noise.
A family's silent secrets kept out of view,
A place of wondering...what can I do?
Wet clothes, wet towel, wet hair and wet suit
Our family was never ever "on mute"
Sunday FUN Night brought turns picking candy
I loved circus peanuts and that came in quite handy.
The best of my memories came from the pool.
Barbie's under bleachers-geez, I was cool!

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I am from high trees nestled between mountains and sea
Between city and farm, between hills and river
My town is named for the beaver and my alma mater for the duck
I am from wet socks and frizzy hair
I am from Boggle games and crossword puzzles
My family is always "off like a herd of turtles" - especially me
Five adventurers drawn to beach and mountain
I am from planets on my grandma's walls as she tells me about my family's trails from Plymouth Rock to Iowa to here
I am from Pizza Night as scores of cousins gather in the basement
watching TV, drinking pop, and hammering on an old typewriter
I am from underneath a cat or two
and a quilt my grandma crafted with immense care
and now I wrap my sons in her sewn-together blessings
and those of my mother-in-law
yellow ducks, rocky beaches, swirling planets, lush gardens - tapestries of home.

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I’m from farmland, pine trees and old buildings

I’m from old cars that constantly need repair, and constantly need to go somewhere

I’m from Friday night lights and packed gyms, where the only event in town is a community gathering

I’m from burgers, brats, corn and milk

I’m from an all English area, with a occasional trace of German influence

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Dorthery West

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I am from cluttered counters and busy bathrooms

I am from Suddenly Pasta boxes and Eggo Waffles

I am from a run down high school and small community college

I am from that small town in Washington that no one has ever heard of

I am from birds chirping through the vineyards during harvest

I am from 4th quarter buzzers blaring across the street on Friday nights

I am from friends that became family and parents who let me roam

I am from how many times will it take you to learn your lesson

I am from structure, organization, and having a plan for everything

I am from optimism and ambition

I am from always saying please and thank you

I am from empathy and grace

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Mid-west girl.  Born and Raised in suburb of St Louis Missouri.
Family and Tradition were high priority
Being hardworking, responsible, honest, trustworthy, respectful, and determined were expected.  Being lazy was not good.
We understood that spending wisely would mean being like one side of the family versus the other.  The "one" side was respected.
We knew that boasting was not good and that our rewards would be in heaven.
We knew tradition meant dinner at the table each night, church every Sunday, and watching our P's and Q's and understood how we were expected to act with specific company.
Our only spoken language = English
We spent time with people that were like us and looked like us.
We knew we were loved and safe.
We understood hard work was the key to being successful.  We were taught to be brave and confident.
We knew that friends would be judged as "good to hang around" or "bad" and could be the reason for who you ended up to be.
So many of these values were embedded within me as the "right way", the "only way" until I went to college, starting working and being a mother.
The world became larger, complicated and made me question if it was the "right way" and "only way" or just my family's way.
I embraced the opportunity to find out.  I listened and soaked it all in.  I had friends that colleagues that didn't look like me or act like me.  I liked them all for many different reasons.  I knew my children would be aware, that they would understand being proud of themself was even better then someone being proud of them.  I knew they would understand there are choices.
I don't regret or feel bad about my family or how I was raised. I had a great life. The amazing thing about growing up was making choices, advocating for why I felt a specific way.

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I am from the middle of the East Coast-born in Jersey, raised in PA, summers and
college in Delaware.

I am from family that looked better on the outside than it truly was on the inside. Love tried, but pain and hurt got in the way.

I am from striking out on my own - packing up a truck and moving to Denver with nothing but a teaching license, a little money and big dreams.

I am from being asked over and over again, "When are, going to move home"? to answering, " I am home, with my beloved husband of 29 years and two grown children of whom I couldn't be prouder.

I am from family healing over time.

I am from the past, raised without faith but joyfully finding it anyway. I am from the present- grateful and blessed. The future will unfold as it will, but I always remember that today was “yesterday’s future”. From experience, I know that tomorrow is never promised and today is all I have.

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I am from where I'm from. A two bedroom house living with my parents and three brothers. Who's parents education ranged from 6th to 9th grade but yet knew the value of education. Who's father worked more than one job to provide for us and who's mother worked as a housewife and always had food on the table. We were poor but none of my brothers and I knew we were. Who's father taught us the three most important things to learn to say in life are Please, Thank You and I'm Sorry. Who's mothers love was always there for us.
I am from old school parenting that believed your children come first and no sacrifice is to much to give for your children. I am who I am, a father and a teacher.

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I'm from parents who might have been divorced but always valued family time and ensured we never doubted that we were most important to them. I'm from "Family comes first" and this led me to live in a variety of places as I helped take care of mine.

I'm a tomboy raised as a princess who was more spoiled than she should have been and yet always reminded that hard work is how you succeed.

I'm from a busy single parent house that wasn't filled with home cooked meals on a nightly basis, but always filled with family, friends and food for the holidays. My mama always said, "I never knew who would be in our house the morning after a holiday." I'm from a house that welcomed everyone and I hope my kids feel the same about the house we live in now.

I played in dirt (literally) and it kept me focused and motivated through school. It also carried me to places I would have never seen, allowed me to meet people I would've never met, and created memories I would have never made had it not been for the opportunities it provided for me.

I am from a house built on hard work, difficult conversations, honesty and trust and am thankful for who that house made me today.

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I was blessed to be born into a family of loving parents, supportive extended family, and a strong foundation of faith.  As I grow older and widen my perspective, I understand just how fortunate I was and continue to be
It is this faith and supportive extended family that saw my mother through the untimely death of my father when me and my siblings were very young.  My mom was, and continues to be, my hero.  She was a classroom teacher who raised us to respect diversity and the rights of all.  After her death, the lady who did her hair for years and came to America as a young Asian bride of an American soldier, told me how my mom would always call out the other women in the shop who made fun of her lack of English and understanding.  With tears in her eyes, she said my mom taught her how to advocate for herself and to be proud of her Asian culture.
When I hear stories like this I just smile and remember all the life lessons taught to me and how it has impacted my own passion and mission. I am proud to have been raised by such a strong woman who imparted her legacy not only on her own children, but also on the countless students she served as a teacher

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I'm from the windy city, and then the suburbs. Train rides downtown to visit Santa and dinner around the tree in the Walnut Room are a precioius memory to me. I'm from summer nights of kick the can, and camping and going to the sand dunes.  I'm from two young kids who showed us that if we worked hard, we could be happy and have everything that we needed. I'm from "Sticks and Stones will break your bones, but names can never hurt you". I'm from Aurelio's pizza and Bozo's hot dogs, and grilling outside in the summer. I'm from the ooh gah horn toot from my boyfriend's (later became my husband) car letting me know I'd better hurry up so we wouldn't be late for school. Faith is foremost and always has been. Integrity and Family are of the utmost importance to me.

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I’m from the house where my mother still lives, that they bought with their life savings for $32K. I’m from Little League fields that had my parents in the stands for every game, unless it was a Wednesday night, in which case we all missed to go to church. I’m from family dinners, which at the time I thought was because we didn’t like eating out, and realized later were because we couldn’t afford to. I’m from a family that couldn’t give us much materially, but gave us wings, and the updrafts on which we rise.

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I am from here and there and at the same time I am neither from here or there. I have one foot here and one foot there. My eyes close here yet wake up there. I live in a golden cage here and live freely there. Some call it a blessing yet others a curse to be from two countries here and there. 

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I am from here and there and at the same time I am neither from here or there. I have one foot here and one foot there. My eyes close here yet wake up there. I live in a golden cage here and live freely there. Some call it a blessing yet others a curse to be from two countries here and there. 

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I'm from a small town in the central part of the US, raised by loving, hardworking parents - my father who worked in the same career/company for over 40 years and a homemaker, stay at home mom.  My entertainment was whatever we found to do outside, riding bikes, staying out until I heard my father's whistle from down the street signaling the time to come home.

I am from a Christian home where our faith is central to everything we do, believe and act.  My best friends are from my church youth group.  I have passed these faith tenets to my children and hope and pray they do the same.

I am also the child of a single mother, pregnant, scared with the courage to give me up before she even looked at me to ensure I was raised by a family who wanted and loved me.

On my journey, I've discovered by roots include ancestors from Spain and Northern Mexico - exploring these new found discoveries  has revealed even more about "where I'm from".

I am from a home with rules, boundaries, expectations to succeed but also with balance, love and compassion.  Education and seeking knowledge was important - whether it be to deepen my faith or to find my place in the world.

My memories included amazing southern cooking - white gravy, sausage, home made biscuits; homemade cobblers, meatloaf and goulash, and chicken fried steak. Small town traditions of prom, football games, marching bands, "crazy days/parades" down town, fireworks by the lake on the 4th of July and any other time it was appropriate to blow things up!

Family is everything and central to all my relationships.

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a close knit community of relations
a family story that only "runs" with those from a common belief system relations as varied as each individual but viewed in one way
an opportunity to thrive beyond expectations of others
an ever expanding growing set of experiences with multigenerational interactions with diverse groups from around the world
a family system that found how to become more because of our interactions
the pieces of a multipattern patchwork quilt blended into one product
the product of the sum pf my experiences whether they be seen as positive or negative
willingness to believe I can be more than imagined
I am a child of God

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I am from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. An Air Force Brat of Eddie and Elinor, whose home moved from place to place but am always deeply rooted to family. I am a child of the water, Lake Michigan, and Lake Murray in South Carolina, most at peace with my toes underwater. Everything sounds better with the waves.

I am from home cooked goodness – Midwest fair served on a biscuit with honey and a side of hush puppies. Good news and bad news are served with a side of food. We think about what’s for dinner before leaving the lunch table. Most of my best memories are seated at a table surrounded by friends and family.

I am from a home filled with responsibility, consequences and their meanings, hard work, and a pioneer spirit to drive me to make friends whenever we had to move. I am adept at starting over and mourn the loss of what was only briefly. Living by the motto, “Don’t look back, you’re not going that way”.

People are my passion. I feel for them deeply and understand them empathically.  I work hard for peace and understanding but will let my Irish temper fly if needed. I am a coach, confident, cheerleader, mother, daughter, cousin, sister, friend, and clown. Love and understanding are found here with me. I am a safe person.

Words are important where I come from – we use them to comfort, communicate and entertain. Books and scripts are my favorite words. Big words and small words – and words in other languages – I love to hear them all! I grew up in theater and practiced improv and comedy as an adult. I use humor to diffuse and deflect and to put others at ease.

I come from blessings and love and hope to pass it on to all with whom I associate.

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I am from a suburb of ranch-style homes where neighborhood kids played outside until the streetlights came on and then ran home for dinner. We climbed trees, walked along the creek, rode bikes, had intense games of red-rover, and played flashlight tag once the sun went down.

I am from a home that my parents had built on a cul-de-sac and they still live there today. I am grateful I can still “go home” and see my old bedroom. There are so many wonderful memories in that house. I am grateful that I was fortunate to have a stay-at-home mom and a dad who worked tirelessly to provide for the family.

I am from a family where fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes, and bread with butter was on the menu no matter whose house we went to for gatherings. My mom’s side of the family all lived in the country and we spent summers on the farm collecting eggs, swimming in the pond, climbing and jumping all over the hay bales, and running from the mean bull.

I am from a generation of children raised “to be seen and not heard.” We were imaginative and played outside as Atari was still yet to b invented. I am from “Do you need a spanking?” was all it took to get us to act right.

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I am from hot dishes, lefse and potlucks.

I am from if you are not 15 minutes early you are late and where family lunch starts at 12 pm, SHARP.

I am from 4 beautiful, unique seasons.

I am from cold winter days patiently waiting on the ice for a bite and from long summer days in the boat where the fish tales get wilder as the day goes on.

I am from pumpkin patches, apple orchards and bon fire pits.

I am from spring is finally here; it’s 50 degrees out, put on your shorts!

I am from Uffda, Oh Geez and Ope I'm Just Gonna Sneak Right Past Ya.

I am from Duck, Duck Grey Duck and Pop.

I am from family: where life begins and love never ends.

-Dana

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I am from folks that taught me well;
Taught me how to
buy as many clothes “por libra” as possible; no jeans allowed

be a little momma before I was a teen hide in the silence and fantasy of a book

kite checks

make the most of a book of food stamps
see all conflict as painful
keep the peace

tiptoe with my thoughts and words

What I have learned

shame is a disease
poor gets in your brain

abuse does not have to be in your   blood
the increments are not the sum

victory and victim start the same with the ends are worlds apart
the journey is the victory
conflict is necessary
I am a chameleon
there is more to learn

Rachel

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Where I'm from the gravel streets have no names and you can see every constellation in the night sky. If you stand on a tuna can you can see for miles and miles unless a dirt storm blows the tumbleweeds in, which will undoubtedly be accompanied by the smell of manure.

Where I'm from, football and basketball games are a religious experience and the aroma of popcorn and nacho cheese combined with sweat and dirt are a luxury. Friday nights are the heartbeat of the town and the stands will be full no matter win or lose.

Where I'm from being called Shelby and Sharla before landing on my name is the norm because every teacher had the joy of teaching three Morrison girls. You spend your first day of Kindergarten and the last day of your senior year in the same school building.

Where I'm from you can walk for miles and miles for fun and end up right where you started. No one is a stranger and no secret survives.

Where I'm from the rattlesnakes make annual playground visits, tarantulas flood the muddy roads, and the moon lights up the haystacks. This is home.

-Sherri Williams

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I’m from playing outside until dark with my siblings, only coming inside when mom finally called us for dinner. We played hide and seek in the corn fields that were our front yard, trying to keep each other out of trouble and not always succeeding.

I’m from coastal breezes surrounded by miles and miles of black clay farmland, seeing the evidence of my father’s hard work as we watch the crops grow, taking meals out to the fields, and enjoying a chance to ride the tractor with my dad.

I’m from Saturday night slumber parties with my grandma and sister where she curled our hair for church on Sundays. Lunch afterward was always around her table, surrounded by good food and lots of laughter.

I’m from having to be an adult at a very young age, caring for my siblings because it’s just what needed to happen. I’m from keeping the peace because I thought it was easier and later realizing the struggle and conflict may have been more helpful.

I’m from high expectations and high anxiety, always wondering if I was doing the ‘right’ thing even when I wasn’t always sure if there was a ‘right’ thing.

I’m from laughing until I cry with my brother and sister every time we get together, even when that isn’t very often. We are separated by miles and circumstances, but still have a strong bond that picks up right where we left off the last time.

I’m from wanting to change things with my own family, altering the patterns that have existed for generations… knowing that the picture from the outside in might have looked ideal but hid a lot of things.

I’m from being grateful that I’ve grown from all of these experiences– positive and negative – and know they all played a part in where I am now.

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I'm from the heart of the Midwest, born and raised. Don't believe me? Just ask me to speak and listen to my accent.

I'm from a mother and father, both teachers turned school administrators. You could say this work is in my blood.

I'm from aspirations of leaving my hometown, having a "big school" college experience, living in a metro area...all while staying where I fit in the middle of the middle of the Midwest.

I'm from first born status with all the Type A personality, perfectionist,, achiever tendencies that go along with it.

I'm from suburbia and all its green lawns, SUVs, youth sports games and judgment.

I'm from places familiar yet always surprising, just where I belong yet that I look forward to leaving behind, from where I've been to whatever lies ahead.

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I am from the tall pine trees, East Texas Dogwoods blooming in spring, and farm to market roads lined with wild flowers.

From hard working parents that believed "it is everyone's job," "no job is beneath you," and "there is no such thing as tired when there is work that needs to be done."

From crispy fried chicken, pot roast on Sundays, and your choice on your birthday.

From sore muscles, bruised knees, and a lost voice after football, basketball, baseball games on Friday nights. Go Rabbits!

From Church on Sunday and Wednesday, Prayers at EVERY meal and before bed. And even more when I heard, "Is there something you want to tell us?"

My childhood helped to define my core values-hardworking, honest, and loyal.

I am proud of the woman I am becoming. Always evolving and growing into a better version of myself.

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I am from the tumbleweeds and stickers, the flash floods and brown-out winds.

I am from my strong Mamaw and my quiet Papaw,
and my even stronger Mom.

I am from the oil fields of Texas and the tall pines of Cloudcroft,
where work always comes before play.

I came from necessary decisions for security and love,
For raising us alone was safer than with.

I am from the desert and mountains,
the bright blue skies and Milky Way nights.

I am because of them,
and I am grateful.

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-- April Mouton, 4/9/2021

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Family comes first before all others
Mom, Dad, Sisters, and no brothers
Gathering for holidays when all would come 'round
Special holidays today, home is where I'm found
Surrounded by love, laughter, singing, an occasional fight
To not have deep discussions just doesn't seem right
Cooking in the kitchen, learning the recipes of the ages
The old Beeville Methodist Church Cookbook with the ear-marked yellow pages
Stirring for what seems like hours and ready to just quit
Hearing my momma's voice saying it's not ready yet
Singing hymns and getting the harmony to an equal four parts
Music and Faith are in our hearts
Bringing in new family to assimilate with us
It's truly not easy as it takes a while to trust
We've had great loss and we've had great strife
In the words of my momma, you can be sad for a while, and then you just get on with life.

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I am from a place where I always wanted to and never wanted to be.
The older I get the more I realize HOME is a concept… not a place.

I am from the Grand Old Badger State.
The Great River calls to me.
Yet, I am a nomad.  I have wanderlust.

I'm proud of my sensible midwestern roots
But I've always dreamed of a bigger world.

Today…
My HOME says you can take the boy out of Wisconsin;
but you can't take the Wisconsin out of the boy.

Today…
As oldest of 5, we're spread out all over.
We were taught… Family is important.
But focus on the immediate family

Today…
I spend my energy on my small brood.

Today…
Is a moment…
Tomorrow is an aspiration…

Live for today…
You never know when it will be your last…

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A first born, with two younger sisters, in a family of five. Grew up in a suburban neighborhood across the street from a park and baseball fields. The sounds of people were always everywhere in my neighborhood... laughter, cheering, bikes, swings... A motto in my family was always, Do Whatever It Takes; I still live by that.

Family always comes first, especially my kids. We have some simple traditions like always having dinner together at the table every night where we say grace and something we are thankful for.

I believe everything happens for a reason, whether it is good or bad, and we may never know why, but we always learn from it.

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I grew up in a large family of 6 children in the western plains of Texas.   My parents were from NY and PA, so that alone gave us a different perceptive of life.  Our meals were different, we did not grow up with grandparents nearby and so often the topic of conversation with my friends ended up being about my Father's NY accent.   Being different can make you strong  My siblings and I continue to be a tight knit unit today because my parents always made sure we experienced unique and different adventures as a family.   I see these traditions continue in my immediate family and in my siblings families as well.
Christianity is our family glue and you will see that faith in our gatherings, our music, our holidays and the base of our lifestyles.
I am truly blessed and grateful.

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I'm from the plains of Nebraska where I learned that family is first and always
Husker flags and Chimney Rock paintings are tucked in corners of our home
I can hear a dove, close my eyes, and be in my favorite spot on the farm
My Husker heart is filled with the family that keeps me going inside and out; a husband who I have loved for over 40 years, children whose differences i treasure and who have made me proud, and grandchildren who make my heart sing (and yes who will dance with Grandma in our special dance parties!)
I'm from a place of loving the work I do and appreciating the dynamics of all with whom I work.

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I am from Meir and Cindy, both children of Holocaust survivors
Family is everything as you never know if you will see each other again
Hugs, kisses and long good byes
Vacations were always to see family

Born in the City of Brotherly Love
Passionate and loyal
Incredibly strong work ethic
Speak the truth and call it as we see it

I am from Friday night Shabbats at my Bubbe's
Matzo Ball soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Celebrating the holidays for many years just the four of us after moving away

I was a latch key kid since 3rd grade (responsible for my brother two years younger than me)
Parents were working and did the very best they could with as little as they had
"We didn't have two pennies to rub together"
But what we did have was a close-knit family and that is what made us rich

I am from family, faith, and forgiveness
I am from sacrifice and determination
I am from "never forget"
I am from the school of thought that education is everything
I am fortunate, grateful and extremely thankful!

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A traveler who grew up in the Pacific Northwest and moved to the Southwest corner of the US to raise my family where palm trees sway in the breeze under the bright blue Florida skies with an occasional thunder storm to bring raindrops to my roof as I slowly fall asleep.

Collectables fill my home: Hummel figurines from my grandma, pewter statues of dragons and wizards from my husband's mother, RC Cars of many sizes racing through the yard, and Lego mini-figures from every era (Marvel, Star Wars, Ninjago, Harry Potter, Batman, and so many, many, many more heads, bodies, legs, hats, accessories, and hair to put together!)

In the past, my home was filled with the seven T's - Tim, Thom, Terry, Tami, (me), Todd, and Therese. My parents Jim and Sue worked hard to raise this motley crew. Fond memories of Ketchup fill my memories. It was used as sauce for tacos and spaghetti as well as spice for the leftover creations so lovingly put together so nothing went to waste.

My home is now filled with boy-hood dreams of my son and a loving father and husband that takes the time to share his love with us each and every day.

Home is heart. My family lives in my heart regardless of where we live. I consider everyone that I encounter a part of my family. Childhood friends, college roommates, teaching/ professional colleagues, AVID family… everyone becomes a piece of my heart.

Therefore, I am always home 💗.