50. Quintessential- adj. representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class.

I am a daughter and a sister

I am from the gymnasium, from the bleachers, and everyone wearing sneakers

I am from the Central Valley

I am from a land that is so fertile and diverse, and I wish we could all celebrate and embrace it

I am from the ocean, lakes, and rivers; they taught me resilience and joy

I am a daughter and a sister

I am from the Read Family of loyalty; from Tom, Brenda, and TJ

I am from the family that is never still

I am from family whose common competitive spirit surges through our veins no matter what task is at hand

I am from “Early is on time, and on time is late” and “Leave it better than you found it”

I am a daughter and a sister

I am from a long spiritual road that has lead me to happiness and fulfillment

I am from Western Europe, meat and potatoes

I am from the family of travelers; we embrace adventure and appreciate every opportunity with which we’ve been blessed

I am from a world that has been so good to me

I am a daughter and a sister, and I can’t wait to show my own little girl how great this world can be

A sea of gray grass with flecks of caramel and taupe

You were an upgrade, one of the few we paid for,

And we’d agreed you were worth every penny.

You were going to hide little mishaps if there was a spill or two,

But we were going to take care of you, mop up any spill.

So soft on the bottoms of our feet, like walking on cloud.

You were an upgrade, one of the few we paid for,

And we’d agreed you were worth every penny.

The cats went right for you on night number one.

We found shreds of your beautiful strands in corners throughout the house.

As the years rolled by, you became their favorite place to throw up their hairballs.

You were an upgrade, one of the few we paid for,

And we’d agreed you were worth every penny.

It’s been so long since you’ve been cleaned,

The pandemic certainly slowed things down.

Now you camouflage tiny Lego pieces and Barbie shoes so easily.

You were an upgrade, one of the few we paid for,

And we’d agreed you were worth every penny.

I’m so sorry we haven’t held up our end of the bargain,

I know you’re matted down, and your flecks of caramel and taupe have all woven in with the gray,

But with all the crumbs, and fallen pine needles from Christmas trees past buried into your tired tufts,

You were an upgrade, one of the few we paid for,

And we agree you have been worth every penny.

You reached my hand for the first time, and it was different.

There weren’t many who’d come before you, but I wasn’t one to waste my time.

My dad said I needed to give more grace and take more chances.

I knew I was taking a chance with you.

I went in believing it would never work.

You were such a contrast from what I’d always envisioned.

The moment when you said we were on a precipice, God showed me You and I were never turning back.

You never try to be someone you’re not. You aren’t out to impress anyone.

You are uniquely and completely you, and each day has made us better.

We continue to build this life together.

Our dreams have molded into one united vision.

Two children and 9 years of happiness have made me feel so blessed.

Thank you for all the love, laughter, safety, and security you bring each day.

I wouldn’t trade our memories for anything.