From Barbies with their hair cut off and my favorite book, Miss Suzy.

I am from a little ways up Johnson Fork,

A big garden spot, small apple orchard, and plenty of woods for a girl and her sister to get lost in.

It smells like rain and wet earth.

I am from the pillowy green moss on the hill behind the house.

The Weeping Willow in the front yard,

Whose long tendrils I swung on and walked through.

I am from finding arrowheads and pottery shards in dirt.

I am from Ethel and Brelia,

Cutting down and cooking down poke salad,

And from red hair and friendliness.

From “How Great Thou Art” and “If your mother could see you now.”

I’m from believing in yourself and working hard-

You do the best you can with what you have.

I’m from Eastern Kentucky,

From fried bologna sandwiches with cheese and mayonnaise, and biscuits from a can-POP!

From my great grandfather who would say, “that’s another star in your crown,”

And from my brother teaching me as a toddler to say “dude!” and gives a thumbs-up in our Dad’s repair shop.

I am from a place where family means everything, a place where you do all you can to help someone in need, a place where you stand up for yourself and others