Today, in an exercise with a peer advisory group I'm in, we had to write a paper in 10 minutes with the topic "I Am From . . ." Here is what poured out without much thought, but rather from the heart:
I have wanted to edit this ever since I wrote it, but feel I would somehow betray myself by doing so. It's what I felt at that time. It's . . . where I'm from, I suppose.
I am from Randall and Mattie and grandparents I never knew.
I am from small towns in Arkansas, from which I could not wait to escape, but which provided the platform for me being able to try cases to jurors all across the socio-economic range and still be successful.
I am from a love of animals, especially dogs. In that sense, I am from Bugle, Bud, Murphy, Sadie, Cooper, and Chloe.
I am from a childhood of days riding bikes, going to the swimming pool, hanging out with friends and not seeing my parents until dinner or bedtime, something my child has never known because of my worries for her safety.
I am from Moon Pies and RC Cola, when I could purchase each for a quarter.
I am from a world of growing up with no cell phones, no social media, and not being surrounded by televisions, for which I am grateful. I am from a world of books.
I am from a family where conflict never occurred, and then married a man who beat me brutally one night and turned me into a single mom and sole parent.
I am from a childhood of Christianity, which frustrated me endlessly, and, after much studying and searching, have adopted Buddhism as my philosophy and practice.
I am from a place of endless curiosity in my mind about the world and places I have not seen, which makes commitment to a person or place challenging for me. I am from a place of many challenges, but from which I somehow manage to survive and grow.
