I am from homemade soups

Chili, lima bean and meatball stew, and chicken noodle,

food that warms the soul,

loved best with family and friends.

I am from Asian take out at Mulan China,

enjoyed on outings to the mall

and at a table in Japan so long ago with a family I can now call mine

I am from an ex-waitress now secretary grandmother who is

the Jane-of-All-Trades and master of all.

I am from the construction worker papa who moved to America for

 a better life and didn't finish high school.

I am a nerdy, otaku, book loving, four-eyed theater kid 

who talks too much

but always seems to be in the background.

I am from spring vacations to Splash Lagoon

I am from a religious and comforting home,

aware of what is around me.

I am from baking, reading, writing, doodling,

acting, singing, believing, dreaming.

I am from books and notebooks and pencils.

I am from creativity and dreams, nightmares and screams,

kept on the shelf and in my heart and spilled on pages.

I am from many things

My life has made me

a good friend, but a lonely girl.

I am a mom-friend and a caring person,

a sister, an aunt, a grandchild, a mediator,

The duff, the therapist, the teacher, the "brains",

silent.

I am from making mistakes and letting them shape me.