I am From

I am from a pail of warm milk in the barn where wild kittens scatter and hiss when you try to catch them; from Montgomery Ward catalog pages put to a second use in the outhouse and Watkins salve and spices in the cupboard.

I am from a century-old farmhouse, a hand pump in the washroom, a cow pasture for a playyard with a creek, baby ducks and a bridge.

I am from long rows of corn stalks that scratch when you run through them, from prairie grass, thistles and milk weed pods.

I am from 3 sit-down meals a day each with 2 prayers and a Bible reading, a little lunch carried out to Dad on the plow; from blue eyes and ingenuity; from Gertie and George, Nykamp and Eernisse and orphans shipped off to a new land.

I am from scratch recipes, second-hand deals and make it yourself. I am from a steering wheel salute to every car you meet.

I am from "please, my little girl" and "pay attention, boy" delivered in Dutch words we couldn't translate yet seldom questioned.

I am from great-grandma who taught Sunday School and gave out little combs for prizes. I am from generations of believers when belief was all they had.

I am from Pipestone and Rock county, the Rotterdam and Ellis Island; from olie bollen and pannakeuken.

From the grandma who found her young husband struggling for his last breath under a heavy thresher, from her domineering ways that raised 2 small children and 8 younger siblings; from her strength that fed the cattle, stitched homemade dresses and cared for aging parents by herself.

I am from a black, onyx ring that mom wears all the time because it's hers now; the ring she would sneak from her ma's jewelry box as a child and wonder about the pa she couldn't remember. I am from make-believe and dress-up in that bedroom where the ring lay forgotten; while my brothers grew tall like that grandpa who was never mentioned. From that ring that crossed the Atlantic worn by a young man who came with hope. One day it will pass to me and I will wear it or maybe keep it on my dresser where my grand-daughters will dress their dolls and I will remember where I am from.

The above is submitted at Owlhaven for a writing contest using the “I Am From” template. Tell her that Leanne from Sister by Your Side sent you.