The Beginning of my 33rd year

I am from family.
From volunteering and leading.
I am from a hard-working dad and a hard-mothering mom.

I am from Home-cooked meals.
From Grannie’s Casserole and Shepherd’s Pie.
I am from encouraging words and the “B word.”

I am from Three sisters.
From playing school and pulling hair.
I am from an embarrassing blow-up at mom’s 50th birthday

and thankful for the best relationship with my sister because of it.

I am from church.
From singing in the choir and acolyting.
I am from Extended Family and ugly church politics.

I am from family traditions.
From traveling and family reunions with the Malone crappy singers.
I am from the talkative Malones, and the loud Tilneys.

I am from road trips.
From the reoccurring saga of the breaking-down scout and drawing imaginary lines along the seats between my sisters and I.
I am from parents with a solid and loving marriage and yet parents who argue about nearly everything.

I am from the outdoors.
From pooping in the woods, not latrines and from no-campground camping.
I am from rustic cabins at Soward Ranch and experiencing God in his creation.

I am from bedtime prayers.
From The Giving Tree and Keeping Christmas.
I am from Hallmark Hall of Fame Sunday Night Movies and 80’s cassette tape mixes.

I am from “The World is Your Oyster.”
From “Under Promise and Over Perform” and “Don’t Ask Permission, Beg Forgiveness.”
I am from “The Only Thing You Can Change is Change Yourself” and “Attitude is Everything.”

I am from 9 years of ballet and an injury to end it all.
From one LONG 6th grade year with Dr. Redding and surviving high school with my fellow Happeners.
I am from Romans 8:28 and experiencing God through living the tough life with friends.

I am from passing notes.
From Jazz Band and singing duets with Lisa.
I am from Anne Murray, James Taylor, Billy Joel, and Kids Incorporated.

I am from memories.
From stills recorded on film and those recorded on VHS.
I am from memories written and memories yet to come.

I wrote this for an exercise we did on MOPs Ministry Team last fall.