My story

I am from powdered milk, and food stamps.

I am from the Deep South the sound of frogs and crickets, the smell of rain, lemonade and crawfish, and from the sting of mosquitoes.

From looking out the open window and feeling the ceiling fan gently rustle the sheets.

I am from the warm rain, thunder shaking the windowpanes that gave me comfort of something bigger.
I am from many homes, finally now a part of one and looking forward to my final one.

I am from great-grandma Mae telling me to hold things will get better and the musty smell of her closet. From adoring my grandmother who adored leopard print.

I am from crawling out of windows at night and walking alone in the dark looking for purpose.
From sleeping on the street.

I am from no one and everyone, and looking for Someone. Someone bigger. Knowing Him but not His name.

I am from Negroes, Mexicans, Irish and a prostitute whose name I forget but protected me.
I am from Robert, Sheila, Mario and (Catherine my heart.)

I am from riding behind my grandfather on his motorcycle and the wind stinging my face. From sitting on a bucket next to him silently while we fished.

I am from sadness, a mothers stinging anger and hope for more. From running and searching…

From jump rope, hop scotch, tinikling, spinning with my arms out while looking at the sky, and dancing until my lungs hurt.

I am from music. From books especially Nancy Drew mysteries.

I am from the Navy, from a new school every year. From being amongst throngs of people and being alone.

I am from losing my hearing to being healed and loving every sound.

I'm from "There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,No lovelier spot in the dale; No place is so dear to my childhood,As the little brown church in the vale." From a little Baptist church, a little Pentecostal church, and in a great Nazarene church. I know His name now.

I am someone who learned to never give her heart away, to finding out that is where the best happiness comes from.

I am from looking forward to meeting the children I have not met, in Heaven and learning their names.
I am from walking alone to walking WITH someone who saw my heart and he knew that Someone bigger.

I am from laughter until my face cramps and I tinkle; from a man I trust my heart with, my husband.
I am from a boy and girl that I prayed for as I laid in the warm grass as a child. For them I would gladly give my life.

I am from FAMILY TIME! From a cell phone and a computer.
I am from great friends that talk with me in unison and we still hear what each other are saying. From road trips.

From jumping in puddles and being free because of His sacrifice.

I am from an all-consuming hunger to know Him.

I am from powdered milk and food stamps and from great expectancy of what His arms will feel like and how His face will shine warmth over me.

I will not be alone.