I Am From...

I am from discrimination and always being different.

I am from a family that cares but can’t show it.

I am from many homes each of which loves me.

I am from going hungry because my mother couldn’t afford to put food on the table.

I am from years of being ignored and finally accepted.

I am from years of addiction that started way too young.

I am from a kosher kitchen with cheese burgers on the weekend.

I am from Allston where the cops were called if I wasn’t home by sundown.

I am from loving horses but giving them up so my sister could skate.

I am from a family with an ice princess that wasn’t me.

I am from a self-dependent home.

I am from long nights of staying up late to read.

I am from blueberry muffins on Saturday mornings.

I am from being scared of trying on the chance that I’m really not good enough.

I am from never having enough money especially around the holidays.

I am from silenced pain and ignored violence.

I am from summers in Maine with lobsters and old relatives who smelled good.

I am from Rainbow Bright, Matilda, Sesame St. and Acme cartoons.

I am from hurting myself to feel real emotions.

I am from always being late especially for school.

I am from a group of friends where I am everyone’s little sister.

I am from happy childhood memories that weren’t always all that happy.

I am from a school where some kids get free BMWs and others get free lunches.

I am from always being a “bad seed” or “bad influence.”

I am from lying in bed at night and wishing I were anywhere else.

I am from smiles that cannot be faked.

[This piece was originally published in Lexington High School’s The Ace Newspaper. Reprinted with permission.]