I am from mom’s sparkly pink lip gloss worn on the soccer field to make me feel special,

From Chubs Stink Away and Wet Ones wipes. 

I am from the house on the corner of the cul-de-sac with a pool in the backyard,

Familiar, safe haven, rough bricks lined up as a shield from the outside world.

I am from the azaleas planted in the backyard,

Colorful signs that summer is here and it is time to open the pool.

I'm from singing “Five Golden Rings” like opera singers and abounding voices bouncing off the walls.

From Snuggly Bear and Snuggly Moose.

I'm from the stinging digs at one another and the resorting to Oreos at times of crisis

From “Power through! It’s just a sniffle!” and “I love you more than macaroni and cheese”

I'm from 7am weekend wakeups for sunday school , and learning how to genuflect at the age of four

I'm from the hospital room with a broken bed and scrambling doctors,

Rice-A-Roni , and baked potatoes 

From the prayers from my family when my mother found herself in the middle of the Boston bombing 

The organization and elegency of my grandma and the spontaneity and humor of my mema

The snapfish that holds countless first days of schools and birthday celebrations

Moments when we came together to celebrate each other and our achievements that are now captured for generations.