I am from...

I am from two parents who loved me and loved each other dearly.  I am surrounded by the cherished memories, family photos in original frames, the old piano a bit out of tune but a reminder of the music that filled our home always.

I am from an old white house built on a hill with a round black and white TV in the living room, tasseled green satin sofa and a large picture window that looked out on my baby girl life.

I am from the tree house my father built for me where I made 'poison berry pies', spied on the neighbors, kept my younger siblings away from my perch and scanned the large back yard which framed my days of childhood.

I am from the midwestern sense of humor garnished by daily phone calls between my father and uncle, where laugh out loud jokes were the best medicine. From the lilt in my mother's laughter as she teared up with my father over shared secrets and an unmatched marital bond.

I am from starting from scratch, a strong work ethic, faith in God, life and myself, love of family bonds, "peace at all cost" and from  knowing I was merely "plain but had a great personality."  And, "Into each life some rain must fall."

I am from 'my mom-and-dad-mold' from which I had to carefully remove my skin and soul and remain in one piece.

I am from rainy days, galoshes and slickers, preferring to play outside with the boys to playing with dolls and neighborhood girls in Seattle. Living on an island (Mercer Island) was a great playground for a tomboy till the age of ten. Sunday nights with Ed Sullivan and Lawrence Welk, limited TV, unlimited outdoor play and for gosh sakes, sharing everything I had with my 6 younger siblings.

I'm from Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Greenwich, Queens (Stew Village), Northern Jersey and Lake Tahoe, California.  The Mayflower to Michigan meets Grand Forks, Washington D.C. to Seattle, completing the first of many circles to come.  

From my father whose heritage rang in seven signers of The Mayflower Compact, all men, who came to America to find a better life, a release from the Church of England and the rule of a monarchy.  Mom, a poor Irish immigrant boasts  lineage from King Brian Boru of Ireland and therefore crowned her daughters the Irish Princesses with "Blue Blood," complete with a dowry of Irish Lasagna and German Pot Roast fit for King Henry VIII, from whence we came?  

I'm from a melting pot of German-Irish-British recipes, stories passed on from fathers to sons, depression babies, a daily dose of "We had to put cardboard in our shoes to cover the holes in our soles so be grateful for what you have" mantra, mixed with "Be thankful for not being a poor starving child from Biafra." And, daily Rosaries during Lent.  Lest we forget the annual singing of Christmas Carols in our neighborhood, led by our proud father.

I'm from West to East and everywhere in between, from all of the above and much, much more...then and now.   

For all of it, I am filled with gratitude and blessings. 

Here...

There...

 Everywhere I seek...

...and Lord willing, many more things to come. 

Photo 1 -  Dad and Mom  (Dick & Rosemary, RIP)

Photo 2 -  Mama Rose at the age of 2

Photo 3 -  View from window in Tahoe sanctuary

Photo 4 -  Lake Tahoe Winter beach

Photo 5 -  Sunset from balcony of Mexican getaway