Where I’m From.

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I am from knitted sweaters and socks, from Kraft Dinner with ketchup and beef barley soup that I can never make quite the way she can.

I am from the Great White North, the friendly, caring, crisp with cold mountains, lovely plains of grain, Tim Hortons and hockey.

I am from the hay in the fields, the frozen water under the bridge, the rhubarb in the back garden.

I am from pancakes in the morning that “will be lumpy” and bent pinky fingers, from Jerry and Nancy and Osmond and DesRoches.

I am from the loving sarcasm and quiet acceptance.

From thinking for myself and always asking questions.

I am from confusion and indecision.  A God who loves me, and a god who doesn’t exist.  A choice to believe what I feel is right.

I’m from Edmonton and Eastern Europe, PÔT-EN-PÔT and Christmas meat pies.

From the Grandmother that lost her daughter to cancer, the Grandfather that lost his life to the same, and the brilliant, beautiful families they left behind.

I am from a radiant mother, a powerful father, brothers I adore and many more I miss beyond words.

Unknown family members (I’m sure my mom will say!) with Sharon, Nancy (Mom) and Cindy.

My lovely mother, as beautiful as I’ve always seen her.

Dad and Mom (Jerry and Nancy) on their wedding day.

Mom with my oldest brother, Adam.

Mom and Dad bring home their baby girl… Me!

Two boys and their baby sister… and one of the most precious pictures time will ever see.

Adam is 2 1/2, Ryan is 1 1/2 and I am quite tiny.

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This creative writing meme is from Nichole at In These Small Moments, and

  • http://www.budgetconfessions.blogspot.com Cate

    I LOVE this! And I think I’m going to have to write my own.
    Cate´s last [type] ..Frugal Meatless Meals- Homemade Gnocchi

  • http://Mommyunscripted.bloodspot.com Ashlee

    This was so awesome! I loved reading it :)

  • http://www.mommyofamonster.com Natalie

    I LOVE that you included pictures! I wrote one too, and it’s one of my favorite pieces now :)
    Natalie´s last [type] ..Random Randomness – Tater Style

  • http://www.tempestbeauty.com Mandy

    Can’t wait to read it :D :D

  • http://www.tempestbeauty.com Mandy

    Thanks!! It was so fun to write… and remember. :)

  • http://www.tempestbeauty.com Mandy

    Hehe… going through my photo album was almost as fun as writing this. I agree, though, it’s one of my most favorite things I’ve ever written.

  • Meagan

    Hi Mandy!

    In that first picture you posted, I think our moms are with Aunt Fanny and her husband Menoke. (Well, I think his real name was Alfonse, but we always called him Menoke!)

    Your mom will probably know for sure, though. :)

  • http://www.alotofloves.com Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)

    You and your brothers are all really close in age. That must have been crazy time for your mom!
    Marilyn (A Lot of Loves)´s last [type] ..Broken Tree- Wednesday of Few Words

  • http://janusfiles.blogspot.com Janus

    I am from a small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse, and not from Guildford after all.
    Janus´s last [type] ..Lets Go Bananas!

  • Anita Stewart

    Nice Mandy. We just wrote one of these Where I’m from poems in class and we read them all out loud and brought in an item from our childhood. There wasn’t a dry eye in the class! Love it, Anita

  • http://suburbansnapshots.com Brenna – Suburban Snapshots

    This was fantastic. The photo peek into your history gave me chills. You’re right, you do need to write more, the ones you write for yourself always end up being the ones that others appreciate most.
    Brenna – Suburban Snapshots´s last [type] ..Sweaters for Sheep