I am from a small street with a crack in every square on the sidewalk

And from seeing narrow, red trees branch out and get bigger every year 

I am from a single mom doing everything she can to keep me healthy and safe

And from the sound of birds hanging on wires, chirping as loud as they can to wake me up every morning 

I am from covering up many holes under my lightswitch,from flipping the calendar page every month 

And from waking up in the middle of the night startled because I heard a noise

I am from shivering at the thought of riding a bike, to seeing the bright, green trees while riding one with my friends

And from being the first person in line to go on a roller coaster, to chickening out and regretting my decision

I am from a home cooked meal everyday for dinner 

And from my mom making minestrone soup on a cold, rainy day to warm me up 

I am from going into my cousin’s house on a bright and sunny day 

And from eating warm gooey chocolate chip cookies by the pool and getting the chocolate all over my mouth and hands

I am from smelling the turkey burgers sizzling on the pan, almost being ready to eat

And from hearing the crunch of my mom peeling the cucumber from upstairs

And from running up to my cousin overjoyed, and hugging her after I haven’t seen her for a year

I am from seeing my grandparents warm smiles as they pick me up from the Florida airport

And from begging my grandpa all day to watch Harry Potter with me

I am from having Thanksgiving dinner in my friends backyard 

And from staying in a nice cozy bed, talking with them as late I can until I get in trouble 

I am from measuring my height on my grandparents closet door right when I walk into the dinning room

And from not seeing my family for a year and them commenting on how tall I am getting 

I am from people saying puns with the word Olive in it and pretending that it is my name 

And from my mom raving on about how long my eyelashes are

I am from feeling like I am trapped inside a jail cell on my birthday and not seeing any of my friends or family 

And from looking at a lake one day, and then the next only seeing a puddle

I am from the throbbing pain in my ears after wearing a mask all day

And from sneezing in class and everyone being scared to go near me 

This is where I’m from