Where I'm From...

I am from cold weather, and mountains as far as the eye can see

I am from disgusting concoctions made by grandma, that year I had strep throat once a month.

I am from Chai tea and Pineapple soda.

I am from the garden that supplied my family and I with fresh fruit and vegetables

I am from calloused hands and hard working people

I am from the tons of flavors of ice cream scooped over what seemed like an endless Summer.

I am from the hands of my mother which were soft and kind while I was crying, and which were as hard as steel when I had done wrong.

I am from the bible and endless studies of what is supposed to be done.

I am from rigatoni and manicotti covered with cheese and spaghetti sauce.

I am from “Do your work, and you’ll go far”

I am from the day my parents divorced and not knowing what was going on.

I am from the years and years of theater and the long red curtains

I am from the people telling me to smile more and talk less

I am from being taught to speak my mind when I want to stick up for a certain issue. .

I am from butterscotch blondies and pumpkin pie.

I am from homemade maple syrup and seeing nothing but white during the winter

I am from Vermont and the the things that shaped not only me now but my future.

I am from the mortar and pestle that crushed homegrown herbs

I am from “I am only trying to help you” even though everything ended in the inevitable.

I am from the fear of judgements, the fear that takes over my life, my mind, my body, and my soul.

I am from the life I wanted to live, but didn’t. Knowing that there was something better in store for me.

I am from my great grandmother, and her daughter, and her daughter.

I am the first born from my mother’s loin, destined for greatness.

I am the one who lives in the past, but can be seen in the present.

I am the teenager born in the wrong generation.

I am the first boy in a series of grandchildren that will stick together no matter what.

I am from finding my place. Thanks to some really amazing people who may not be as close to me anymore.

I am from learning that everything that seems perfect...never stays. That if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

I am from the many competitions, the ones that helped me realize that I can achieve greatness.

I am from hearing that I have a weak handshake, but never realizing that it could be from scooping ice cream for people all Summer, even if they aren’t exactly the nicest.

I am from the smile plastered to my face, even when I have every right to break down.

I am from changing from the boy in Winter, to the boy who lives for the Summer time.

I live through the eyes of people who think the world of me.
I live through the eyes of people who expect greatness.

From the first born boy. To the first in family.

I am from mountains as far as the eye can see. I miss them immensely.

I am from chai tea and pineapple soda.

I have a fear of judgements, and it may be what holds me down sometimes.

I’ve loved, and I’ve lost...and the walls that I have surrounded myself with are so high that no one is allowed in. Maybe not even the people who I call best friends (even if they don’t consider me a best friend anymore).

But the best part...I’m not going to let it phase me any longer. Don’t try to get under my skin...if you have so many things crawling under yours.