#SOL18: March 5
Because this is my 550th post and I have a special love for “55”, I decided to be brave (last year’s #OLW) and try another new format today. Inspiration for this post came from Lisa Keeler here.
I COME FROM
I come from Orange Avenue, a rock road,
that now has a fancy address
so E911 operators can locate and dispatch assistance or help,
a mile long stretch with four houses
which we left to ride a bus to school.
I come from parents as the third child of seven
born on Father’s Day, and ever my Father’s favorite,
a father who served during the Korean Conflict and
parents who believed in family, faith, and responsibility.
I come from vacations as a family,
where we visited cousins or Army buddies across the country,
with 4 am starts and travel in pjs,
experts at free and low cost entertainment.
I come from a love of learning,
from a father who graduated from high school and
a mother who wanted to attend college but didn’t have the money.
I come from escaping into books and reading by the evening light
in order to find some peace and quiet.
I come from a family of teachers,
learning how to treat others at my grandmother’s knee.
I come from farmers and workers who speak plainly
and know the difference between silos and grain bins and
the value of stories repeated and shared.

“Outlaws” “Aunts & Uncles
I come from red-headed ancestors and outspoken aunts and uncles
who worked on labor issues with Bobby Kennedy
and many national church issues.
I come from a place where
family matters, where traditions are respected, celebrations rule.
and stories are told with quilts and pictures at family events.
“I come from Iowa
the Heartland of America.”

Crocheted hearts made by my mother now in multiple states and countries!
Thank you, Betsy, Beth, Deb, Kathleen, Lanny, Melanie, and Stacey for this daily forum each March. Check out the writers, readers and teachers here.
How do you celebrate “Where you come from?”
#SOL15: Family Christmas
Christmas past:
Grandma Ruth and her ten children posing on the steps of the school basement.
Any guesses on which four were teachers?
Christmas this past Sunday:
Seven of the ten (including the “outlaws”) celebrating the holidays with their families.
Cousins – 55 possible . . .
Family
Food
Sharing memories
Sharing stories
Creating new memories
Connecting family members
Building bridges across the generations
Christmas with the “Baby Ruth” Family to begin the holidays!
Here’s one view of the “crowd”!
Do you have specific traditions?
How do they continue through the years?
Tuesday is the day to share a “Slice of Life” with Two Writing Teachers. Thank you, Anna, Betsy, Beth, Dana, Deb, Kathleen, Stacey, and Tara. Check out the writers, readers and teachers here.