A Christmas Gift From Rachel

Rachel had to write a poem about her life in her language arts class to give to her parents for Christmas.  That child made me cry.

Where I'm From

by

Rachel Ray

I am from a place with shimmery sand in my toes,

And blazing beams of light in my face

I am from fluffy white snow on the mountains in 90 degree temperature

I am from a place of proud patriotic chants and snappy salutes of men that camouflage into the flag of red, white and blue

I am from a place with companions of new and old

I am from a family that scours across the map from the top of the thermometer to the bottom

I am from the "Hallelujah, Amens" to the "Hey Ya'll's" and the "Yo Peeps"

I am from "if you can't say something nice don't say something at all"

I am the taste of sweetless coffee and under baked cookies made with love

I am a family of kids from Thomas to Legos to Dora to dogs

I am from a mom that's a part of all my memories and a dad that spreads the message of the Lord to people under metal bars and chains

I am hearing the cries of spunky little Holly Berry in the morning

My sister claims it has hers and hers it shall be

I am from a family I love and that will always love me.

Many of the descriptions in the beginning are from where we lived in California where she was born.  We lived on a Marine base in the high desert and during certain times of the year it would be 90 degrees or higher and we could see snow on the top of Big Bear Mountain.  Of course, even as a Navy wife, I know Marines give the best snappy salutes. 

We have my niece on video when she was about 3 being not so nice.  She meant to say, "If you can't same something nice, don't say anything at all" but instead she said, "If you can't say a something nice, don't say a something at all."  We often repeat her version around out house.

PK loves to bake chocolate chip cookies.  His version are oogey googey and maybe a little under cooked.

It is such a blessing to know she has such sweet memories.