I am from pillows, stacked, laid over, sometimes too much for my eyes.

I am from the oak trees, the crepe myrtles, the rhododendrons, all with a variety of plant life making for a nice background.

I am from weekend gatherings, struggling to come across, from “Pops” and “Gran” to “Grandma and Grandpa”, from older houses.

I am from the preservation of tradition, and where the old meets the new.

I am from “give them space” and “who are you and what have you done to my son?”

I am from change, wavering, and the past turned into the machine of deep thought.

I am from science, and I am from God.

I am from Sunday school, from the church community, from the guide of God, who I can communicate with at any time.

I am from Columbia, from Western Europe, the British Iles, from biscuits and potatoes. 

I am from those who will always, enduringly, join my hands in love.

I am from the inside of worn shoes, and buried into bathing suits.

I am from the ocean floors, and the salty seaside

I am from countless vacations and family stories, from the bed of dad’s truck and the bottom of my mother's feet.

I am from the family walks on the beach and corn hole championships.

From drip castles and games of under over.

I am from God's prayers. The ones of healthy families and beautiful sunsets. 

I'm from North Carolina, crab cakes and homemade strawberry jam.

From the brain boggling 7 hour trips in a cramped car, the heated games of ABC, and Especially the camp ground pranks between parents and kids. 

I am from candid family selfies and an abundant amount of  “bless your hearts”.

I am from the cold New Jersey homes that provided warmth through the sweet taste of hot cocoa.

I am from the dandelions and the trees that produce decaying leaves, the tulips poking out of the grass with a bright red glow.

I am from Christmas and calm, from my mom and my grandmother and my dad.

I am from the lazy yet sharp.

From men don’t cry and not to give up.

I am from Christianity that embraces God’s love through faith in him.

I'm from America with peruvian ancestry, Lomo Saltado and Ceviche.

From the time my baby brother always wanted to be around me, countless times my name was called, and the loudness of my dad’s family.

I am from Peru and Argentina where my ancestors and family learned through hardships to get to where I am today.

I am from the humid, muggy Palms of Florida, where my ancestors found to be a new home

I am from the Gumbo Limbo trees, from the wild papayas high up from human reach

I am from the fighting and ridiculing, directed towards tiny mistakes or miscommunications

I am from the open gossip and judgment towards those who are not understood

From the descendants of my family, expected to fulfill the family name with pride and success 

I am from the absence of God, not well liked or understood by the worshipers

I am from Nicaraguan descent, thrown on this earth in hopes of becoming a person that they can eventually be proud of 

I am from the home-cooked meals and never left the house. 

I am from the white blanket of snow, the never seen the grass in the winter. 

I am from formal dinner at the table, strict and formal, just mom, dad, and me.

I am from ordinary life and nothing new. 

I am from a Christian church and a bible driven household. 

I am from Wisconsin and snow, cheese, and lots of people.  

I am from the city that never sleeps

I am from the banana tree, the yucca plant 

I am from quinces and being loud and partying, from Tio Robert and Tio More and Tia Lorenza.

I am from the conservative views of my elders and snarky comments from rest as if they’re perfect

From “sana sana culito de rana” and “it's because of that phone”

I am from Catholic/Jehova Witness beliefs that I don't really associate with

I'm from the Dominican Republic, from mangu con salami and a presidente.

I am from the roses the red petals
I am from celebration parties  and humbleness , from Monica and Eric  and Sarah
I am from the struggle of my elders and come up of my parents
From ¨ don't let them touch your hair¨ and ¨ your skin color is beautiful ¨

I am from a flood of Christianity, that was forced upon me.
I'm from Charlotte , the fried chicken and macaroni.

I am from the warm Sunday mornings at Church, clothed in a ruffle dress and socks. 

I am from the Wild Hydrangeas, and the Swamp Milkweed. 

I am from the 11 hour road trips, visiting Florida seeing my cousins and grandparents, who I adore greatly. 

I am from the CLT, the 704, or the Queen City, which glistens at night. 

From the “go do your homework” and the “make sure you come home when the streetlights come on.”.

I am from Barbies, Bratz, and Silly Bandz, and Zhu Zhu Pets.

I'm from the family cookouts, barbecues, and cookouts as the song “September” blares over the loudspeakers. 

From the Hayes family which encompasses my brother, Mom, Dad, and other family members.

I am from “black girls are beautiful” and the  melanin.

I am from the cluttered mess I call home.

I am from the trees, the tall trees that surround my backyard.

I am from sloppery kisses from grandpa and big smiles, from Sylvester and Simone and Williams.

I am from the highest of metabolisms and the longest of legs.

From becoming a doctor and having beautiful eyes.

I am from Pastor Sylvester Williams. Spending long Sundays in church singing old gospel songs.

I'm from the country, blueberry salad and banana pudding.

From the Thanksgivings of all the cousins fighting over who preformed the first song, the abundant off-key notes, and the parents just enjoying the show.

I am from baby scrapbooks kept in the downstairs office. Up on a shelf with pictures of grandma along with mom and dad's high school yearbooks.

I am from the Old brick house, where you could smell the fresh made biscuits

I am from the Old fun tree and, the briar bushes

I am from the great sunday suppers and a loving family, from my Grandma Karen, and my papa Don, having a great sunday evening

I am from hunting and, Fishing

From being humble, and hardworking

I am from church on sundays and, giving thanks for my blessings

I'm from an old town called Coward, South Carolina , where fried chicken and biscuits is what I love

I am from the mahogany and teal colored residence where one can absorb the scent of curry and naan bread.

I am from the deciduous forests, the bushes filled with a vibrant array of rose.

I am from the exquisite Saturday breakfasts and thoughtful meals, from my dad Manish to my grandfather Bharat and the Parmar's.

I am from the diligent hard workers and sharp-witted generations.

From never opposing my gods to always expecting the best.

I am from the Hindu temples from which my wisdom came. 

I’m from the eastern coast, North Carolina, with ancestry leading back to Gujarat, India, flourishing with an array of spices to delicate jamuns.

I am from The Mbiya’s, a family of Wisdom and Love

I am from the small model home at the edge of the neighborhood.

I am from the grass, from the blades that you glide past as you run giving off that natural fresh scent..

I am from prayers before thanksgiving and dimples, from Gary and Dionne and Smith.

I am from the hyper and laid back.

From “take your hands out of your pockets” and “take off your hood in the house”.

I am from the stay home on Sundays and only pray on thanksgiving or before a long journey.

I am from Charlotte, from Cheeseburgers and fries.

From the thanksgiving sports where all the eyes were on the little ones, the pressure to play better than the others, and the intimidation of playing against people twice their age.

I am from the framed pictures in the dining room positioned in a way so the whole world can see.

From the pictures at grandma’s and the growth chart she keeps so it is the first thing you see when you come through the door. 

I am from the comfy blankets on the sofa on the chairs in the large dining table and the big sofa.

I am from the yellow daisies, lavenders,  and paving stones in the front yard.

I am from Friday movie nights, hard work, Biju, Krishna and Navami.

I am from having education as the highest priority and respecting parents at all times.

From “take every chance you are given” and “you can’t get anything by hoping for it”.

I am from going to the temple before the school year to pray for a great school year every year.

I am from Charlotte, my family is from Thiruvananthapuram. From fish curry and samosas.

From my mom travelling to India to surprise her family to my dad driving us to Florida each year to visit friends. 

I am from high expectations in my house and constant demands to meet those expectations.

I am from the tulips’ elegant youth, the sycamore standing tall.

I am from cooking Sunday dinners and moles, from Faimetta and Jafferali and Thompson.

I am from the smart Alec’s and "be strongs".
From next generation should do better and you’ll understand.
I am from honour thy mother and thy father.

I'm from Kenosha and Guyana, pepper pot and plourie.
From the fresh pastries, the feeling of hope, and the lenses.

I am from the album on the shelf, the story and tales from the momentous.

I am from the broken down fields and the fresh green grass

I am from the plantains the, coffee beans

I am opening gifts on the 24th and talking Spanish,

 from Alex, Guerra and Cordon.

I am from the Churches and the Soccer games.

From El Raton and Santa Claus.

I am from Catholics and God. 

I'm from Guatemala, tamales and tortillas

From the disappearance of my Uncle

the Immigration of my Aunt, and the death of my grandma

I am from NC where I was born and raised with most of my family, and memories that are irreplaceable.

I am from Charlotte, the best city.

I am from Charlotte humid to chilly

I am from beaches sunny and sandy

I am from cookouts and family reunions, from Walkers to Hiltons 

I am from Christianity, spreading peace and faith

I am from loud talking and laughing 

I am from bands, twisting and turning

I am from showing up hours late and missing things

I am from the vivid stories of my grandparents 

I am from walkers, a family of love and joy

I am from the big brick house with at least 2 people in the front yard at all times.

I am from the weeping willow down the street, crimson in the fall

I am from Ramadan and brown eyes, from Ali and Suha and Ahmad.

I am from accrue of virtue and taking things in stride.

From Because I said so and This hurts me more than it hurts you.

I am from daily prayer. From local youth groups.

I'm from Sudan, From Tamiya to Moolah.

From the shiny rock, the chicken coop, and the auto-rickshaw.

I am from birthdays and first days of school in my mom’s phone gallery.

I am from the chipped paint from the balcony and the misty scent of the ocean

I am from the dandelions that made me feel at peace and the cactus that nobody dared to touch

I am from church on Sundays and happiness, from Tia María  and the Olsen’s and Ramirez’s.

I am from the cutting into conversations and cooking too much food on thanksgiving.

From “qué aprendiste en la escuela?” and “compórtate en la iglesia”

.

I am from Christianity. Believing in Jesus and never doubting him in life.

I'm from Pineville, North Carolina and Costa Rica, From empanadas and gallo pinto.

From my dad leaving Costa Rica to start a new life, and the deportation of 3 cousins

I am from wedding photos and baby albums that are worth much more than anything I own.

I am from the evergreens of North Carolina, the colorful flowers, and a wide variety of trees.

I am from the white rose of new beginnings, the orange rose of desire.

I am from long road trips and pleasant dinners with grandma.

I am from short attention spans and short tempers.

From “don’t touch that!”  and “put it back!”

I am from Christianity but struggling to find an understanding.

I'm from South Carolina with family in Jamaica, from chitterlings, and oxtails (a weird combination)

From the military stories about grandpa jumping out of planes.

I am from South Carolina, the palmetto state.

I am from the feeling of true love, the rich aroma of homecooked meals and decadent desserts.

I am from the aloe vera, used for our natural crowns and healing, the essential oils that bring us peace.

I am from the joyous holiday feasts and the bubbling of laughter, from Rosa Glover and the McCloud’s and Mackie’s. 

I am from the height of a giraffe and the stubbornness of a mule.

From ¨we don’t say I can’t¨ and ¨you’re from royalty¨.

I am from Christianity. I am from the teachings of Rosa and Nathaniel, who live and breathe the word of God. I am from the bible study classes with my sister and mom to embody the principles of Christianity. To learn to love, have hope, and help people in need.

I’m from Charlotte, NC and Trinidad and Tabago, cornbread dressing and fried haddock. 

From the 4x great-grandfather who could tell the future, and was an herbalist who had to use herbs in creative ways to purchase the freedom of slaves, and the 4x great-grandmother who’s story is still told on at the McCleod plantation. 

I am from my great grandparents house in Buffalo, NY where you can find all of the family members pictures and special moments. While there you feel like you're at a Walk of Fame or a family history museum. Their house is special to us because it houses all of the beautiful family memories and the love our family shares.