Where Did I Come From?

I am from Masterpiece Theatre and ALL of my friends not calling me on Sunday nights,
Being the nerd, embracing the bizarre, believing that I am awesome in who I am.
From "Wibbly Wobbly" and "Don't Blink"
To a "truth universally acknowledged..."

I am from baby blankets, tumbling in the dryer
from Mr. Bubble bubble bath and the CeraVe I rub on my aching feet
I am from a big house full of love and laughter, that always smells like Dreft and PineSol
I am from the Magnolia that named my first child and blooms in my mother's front yard,
The fragrance, an aromatic reminder of my heritage.

I am from Sunday dinners and Christmas cantatas, where Jesus is King and farming is life.
From Dot, and Nanny, from grudges and red-eye gravy.
From strong women who don't take shit from anyone for any reason.
From Pocahontas and Boudicca, trailblazers and fast talkers,
Women who can smile while vilifying you at the same time.
I am from two strong men who named my second child.
Although we never met, they shaped my entire upbringing.

I'm from "do unto others..." and "honor thy mother"
From the yellow sundress I never took off, the hand-made quilts spread out on the lawn,
From Heart and Joni Mitchell, my mother singing James Taylor songs.
I am from stretch marks, grey hairs, fat rolls and sleepless nights.
I earned every pound, every wrinkle, every inch of my motherhood, traced like a map across my body.

I am from my husband, strong and patient, who gives me more love than I ever thought I deserved.
From his kisses and caresses to jokes and silly dances.
I am from the life we have created together, full of wonderment and adventure,
Joy and pain, love and loss and beginning again,
Knowing our love for each other can carry us on.