Where are you from

Inspired by this poem.

Where am I from?

I am from three states,
five towns, and eleven houses
From a college town, the suburbs,
the country, and the suburbs again

I am from a Jeff and a Val
From a mistake,
A blessing,
A vow,
And healing
From Okies and Arkies
From neurological diversity
and cultural ambiguity
From twenty-five years of marriage
and a phone call home
at nine, noon and three

I am from the stock of strong women
and the men who love them
The kind who don't wait for the sink to get fixed
"I can do it myself"
Home-makers, career women, mothers, wives

From because-I-said-so
and to-make-little-girls-ask-questions
From pride in accomplishment
and the drive to do better
From go-to-your-room
and I-love-you
From organized chaos
From just-ask-your-father
and have-you-looked-it-up?
From laugh till you cry
and cry till you laugh
From no-man-is-an-island
and just-be-yourself

I am from schooling at home,
In the car,
At the park
From days at the library,
Dinner at home
And church on the weekends

I am from prayer before bed
From daddy's Bible still on the table
From discussing over coffee
and together by the fire
From follow-God's-plan-it-turns-out-better
and let's-pray-together

Where am I from?
It's hard to say
The journey continues
Day after day

Where are you from?
In this crazy space
Between Eden and Heaven
Each has a place