Where Are You From?
Posted by Lynn Wehner in Family on Tuesday, February 08, 2011 2:00 PM
“I’m from the east coast.”
“I’m from New York.”
“I’m from a little town near Naples, Italy.”
When we’re asked the question, “Where are you from?” our answer usually relates somehow to our home town, place of residence, or nation of origin.
But “where we’re from” means so much more.
Last week, I shared this reality with some teens and pre-teens in a writing workshop. I was trying to impress upon them the fact that we don’t write in a vacuum. That every experience of our lives — every thing that we are — is brought into our writing.
In writing — and life — we’re every bit as much “from Nana’s meatballs” or “from ‘I’ll give you something to cry about’” as we are from our current address.
And through it all, good or bad, where we’re “from” matters.
So we worked on “I Am From” poetry. Witty and poignant, sweet and faith-filled, their writing is turning out to be nothing less than a window into their generation — and a window into their hearts.
A few examples shared so far by various kids …
I am from ice cream for dinner, late nights, and procrastinating (thanks to Facebook).
I’m from Elvish lyrics in Lord of the Rings
And staged light saber battles with my brother.I am from Addy, Samantha, Kirsten, Molly, and Felicity.
I am from the anger and frustration of being a perfectionist.
I’m from staying up talking ‘til seven in the morning,
From consuming junk food long after “bed.”I am from “You’re fine, don’t be a wimp,” from “No, you don’t need a band-aid.”
I’m from school play scapes and back yard streams, sledding and peddling.
I’m from friendship and love, wonderful memories,
And dreams for the future that never grow old.I am from a broken home, broken family, broken faith and broken friendships.
Yet through it all I am from the Holy Catholic Church, from JPII and BXVI.
They listened to each other. They laughed. They were silent. They learned. They got it.
Each of us has history — a story that has played a part in making us who we are today. It’s good for us to reflect on that sometimes … and remember.
So jump in here, ladies. Share a line or two from your own life in answer to the question, “Where are you from?” Who wants to start? …
Print Blog
Email a FriendPost a Comment
By submitting this form, you give Faith And Family Magazine permission to publish this comment. Comments will be published at our discretion, and may be edited for clarity and length. For best formatting, please limit your response to one paragraph and don't hit "enter" to force line breaks.
