Where I’m From
Posted by Elizabeth
“Deep within my body, the past is still alive. Everything that has ever happened keeps happening.” Devotion by Dani Shapiro
In order to rewrite our lives, we have to possess a deep understanding of how they were written in the first place. Inspired by this post at A Design So Vast, which was adapted from this writing exercise, I bring to you my version of “Where I’m From.”
I am from the seafoam house stuffed to the gills with stuff, from towering stacks of aging National Geographic magazines and a junk drawer whose crusty bottom never saw the light of day.
I am from the place with an impossibly steep staircase lined with fuzzy gold shag, and chipped linoleum in the kitchen perfect for an indoor roller rink.
I am from the fuchsia rhododendrons peeking over the front window, delicate trilliums on the backyard “nature trail” that dad carved out one year.
I am from Friday Night Party Night, crouched in front of a tiny black and white screen, gobbling Hershey’s Miniatures and watching Sha-Na-Na.
I am from a long line of women – strong, risk-taking, and independent – each a mirror image of the other, from our squinty eyes to the crinkly bridge of our nose to our laugh with reckless abandon.
I am from thrift and practicality: always buy a white car!
From “be careful what you wish for” and “follow your bliss.”
I am from faith without churches, spirit without God, an eclectic smorgasbord of beliefs from all around the globe.
I’m from the deep, cool shade of evergreen forests, from warm tartans and a feathery headdress, from dessert after every meal and silver shrimp forks.
From watery camping trips on the shores of Puget Sound with floating tents, and aquatic creatures who spent even the chilliest of Pacific Northwest summers caked with sand and salt.
I am from a musty warehouse sheltering decaying boxes of fading photographs. There is no family home, no communal gathering place. But the memories I treasure most I carry with me, right where they belong, making my home wherever I go.
Where are you from?
August 23rd, 2010 at 5:29 am
I love this. I also underlined that sentence in Devotion, and think of it often. We are a collection of our experiences and as such reading about some of yours makes me feel I know you better. Thank you. xoxo
August 23rd, 2010 at 6:16 am
Loved this! I love that you combined very lyrical, deep things with practicalities like “always buy a white car.” Made me smile.
Haven’t read Devotion yet, but I keep meaning to pick it up!
August 23rd, 2010 at 10:05 am
You have inspired me to discover where I’m from. I’ll have to work on this!
August 23rd, 2010 at 2:19 pm
This is great! I’m tempted to use it with my career planning class, but I think it’s a little too literary for them.
August 23rd, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Anne B., I bet you could adapt it and make it a little more accessible for your population. I think it’s a cool idea!
August 23rd, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I loved this when Lindsey wrote her post and I love your’s. I commented on Lindsey’s post that I did this exercise a few months ago (with the Collective) and really loved it. I think it would be interesting to do it once a year. See what “changes” and what doesn’t.
August 23rd, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Such a gorgeous read… it tells so much!