I am from Belarus

South Carolina, Ohio, and deer-filled NJ.

I am from a life-time of homeschool

Letter correspondence with friends from my half-year of "real school."

I am from beet borscht and gluten free bread

studded with raisins and dripping fresh butter

Early morning markets and the smell of warm muffins.

I am from train tracks and creek beds

Suburbs and neighborhood cats

cricket orchestras and reading in the hammock.

I'm from snowy skies and soupy summers

6 moves and 3 countries

Moving fast and pushing on.

I'm from a paradox of too many activities

numerous almost-friends

but 2 kindred spirits and a love for nature and sleepy afternoons.

I'm from "time and place" and the "long speech"

"He is risen indeed" and "have fun storming the castle"

I'm from a world-wide worldview,

Justice for all,

Kids can be the change,

Belief in magic and the Maker

Packed in yet another moving box

taped with high hopes and a history of loss

is my life box--

theatre programs, baseball tickets, homemade books and a billion unfinished journals, sheet music and poetry.

A lifetime of small accomplishments winding a twisted path into future's veiled promises.