I am from peace and quiet, from Old English to polish the antique furniture and line-dried clothes, lovingly hung with wooden clothespins.
I am from a dirt road, where grass grows long, sticks crack under your feet as you walk and the scent of burning leaves fill the air.
I am from the lilac bush, the sweet smell returning each spring to glass vases scattered throughout the house.
I am from a fort built in an old Oak tree, with smiling Irish eyes and red-tinted hair, from Margaret and Theodore and Esther and Otto.
I am from optimists who dream big and realists who stand grounded; from opinionated women and physically strong men.
From move it or lose it and treat others how you want to be treated.
I am from misguided religion, just mind your manners, say your prayers and sing along. How great thou art…
I am from Detroit, by way of the Mayflower and traveling boats from Ireland and Greece. I am from Spam with potato pancakes and chicken with Bisquick dumplings.
From the labor of my restaurant-owning great grandfather to my great aunt, kept warm in a shoebox in the oven as a baby, to my grandmother playing an old hymn on the organ.
I am from an old red trunk in the basement, full of photo albums and memories and the smell of old books. I am from the hearts of confident, middleclass people. And for all this, I am grateful to be where I’m from.
My childhood home, in the sticks
I’m starting to explore creative writing a bit more lately, so when I saw Mama Kat’s “Where I’m From” prompt, I knew I wanted to give it a shot. See the template I followed here and give it a shot as well!
What scents, imagery or people remind you of your roots?
WOW – I am at this very moment working on my post for Thursday’s workshop – using this same prompt! I almost didn’t read your post — because I didn’t want to “copy” any of it. It’s shaping up to be FUN!
Loved your post!
I know – I LOVED this prompt. I already have things scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, but I was flexible for tomorrow, so that’s why it’s up a bit early! Couldn’t pass up this fun opportunity.
This was gorgeously written, love it! (was your great aunt really kept warm in a shoebox in the oven?)
Yes! How nuts is that?! She was preemie, so it was how they kept her warm…people didn’t have the NICU back in the day. Can’t even imagine putting my baby in the oven!
Kept warm in a shoebox in the oven!! Wow…pretty sure we couldn’t get away with that these days, but what a sweet story! I love reading these!
Thanks for coming by and for the fun prompt! I love these fill-in-the-blank ones 🙂
When I saw the template for this I never thought it would turn out to be this creative. Great job.
Thanks! You should give it a shot…and of course give it a classic Jessica spin on it – laced with sarcasm 😉
This is a great post Lauren. I love reading your blog!
I love that you put a picture up of your old house. I remember playing at your house almost every weekend for a while as kids. My parents still live out in that area and your tree house was still there last I had driven by. Very cool!
Aww, so glad you saw this Mallory! It was kinda fun growing up in the sticks, huh? I appreciate it a lot more these days.
I’m hoping to go drive by soon and see what the ole place looks like.
This…. was incredible! Absolutely amazing.
Also… the same prompt I’m doing this week!
Thanks, Jackie! Can’t wait to see yours 🙂
Great job with this Lauren! I do not have writing chops like this, so I bow down to you. I want to know the answer to Alison’s question as well. 😉
Psssh, whatever. I’ve seen you write seriously and you’re fab!
It’s true – she was kept warm in the oven as a preemie since women had their babies at home back in the day. We’re so spoiled these days with hospitals and NICUs and such.
Lauren, I forgot to mention in my comment that my Mother always said she was a “7 month baby”, (born in 1910) and she slept in a shoebox! Nothing about an oven, though.
That’s an amazing story!
Love it. I saw something like this once before and then forgot to do it. It’s a very neat exercise and you did a great job.
Thanks so much! You should try it out. I’m really enjoying reading them too.
I love it! I can picture where you’re from and I love how you posted a pic of your childhood home. This was a really fun exercise. I have to finish typing mine up and I’m posting tomorrow. I just love reading all of the different ways these turn out from so many different people. Stopping by from Mama Kat’s.
Thanks so much, Amanda. Like many folks, I just loved this prompt. So much fun to reflect back!
Isn’t it beautiful?! Our lives truly are poetry. Your post made me feel like a neighbor!
Thanks so much, Michelle 🙂
The smell of pine takes me straight back to my Granny’s little house in the Piney Woods of Texas. I wrote the same prompt. I really enjoyed yours.
Thanks so much, Grams. Mmmm, the smell of pine reminds me of home too!
This is just wonderful! “I am from the lilac bush, the sweet smell returning each spring to glass vases scattered throughout the house.” This was my house, too!
May is one of my favorite months in Michigan for that reason 🙂
Lovely girlfriend! The scents and the foods and your obvious thoughtful pride- every last bit is lovely!
Thanks, Galit. I love your comments…and your blog – written SO well!
so lovely! glad I found your blog. I think it’s super neat! 🙂
Thanks so much, Mama!