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.

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

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

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. 

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.

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 

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