I am from...

Intro: Got this meme from Susie ~ Ya use a particular format to answer certain questions regarding where one comes from... the format is found here.
My confession: As I compiled my own statements for this meme, at FOUR different times, I cried - ??? I was overwhelmed by the various things that came to mind - my roots and beginnings; all the people, the moments, and the many 'pieces' that are all a part of me and where I'm from. This meme was a wonderful exercise. I highly recommend it!

So here it goes:

I am from spotlessly clean kitchen floors, off which one could eat, and a die-hard family devotion to "Nordy's" - that's Nordstroms.

I am from 13th South and 13th East, from old bricks and peeling, wooden window frames painted chocolate brown and old leaded windows, from an unfinished basement that occasionally flooded, and an unattached garage from which my father carried me to the house in his warm arms at night, under twinkling stars.

I am from rows and rows of tulips and daffodils, irises, gladiolas, crocus and grape hyacinths, all lovingly planted and tendered by my mum ~ I was her trusty weeder, water girl and eager destroyer of snails. I am from delicate salmon colored poppies, intertwining sweet peas clinging to patio screens, furious fushia peonies bursting with petals, petunias galore and towering, gigantic stalks of blue delphinium grown in my lil' Gma Rae's flower gardens. I am from deliciously sweet, cool and crisp snow pea pods picked fresh off the plant, fat ears of yellow corn and long rows of tall bushy raspberry bushes, from armfulls of rhubarb grown by my Gpa Farrell.

I am from bone crushing hugs that lift you up off your feet, and a love for all things edible, especially anything with cheese.

I am from an undying devotion to Hires Big-H hamburgers and greasy french fries with loads of extra fry sauce, and New Year's Eve wishes handwritten on tiny pieces of paper, folded and given anonymously by everyone to all. I am from walls doned with photographs of those who are here now and those long gone and sorely missed. I am from my aunt Sarah and my aunt Mary, and my mother's two sisters, Radeane and Brenda. I am from the ever chatty Shirley-girl and Martha Stewart's up and coming rival, Victoria Ann.

I am from people who take on way more than they should, and yet they accomplish wonderful things for those they love.

I am from "you're such a little fruitcake" and "remember who your are." I am from "your thoughts become you," "money doesn't grow on trees," and "mind the Golden Rule." I am from "don't make your mother sick or she'll die." [I'm sure that old woman's goin' to hell in a handbasket for saying that to me - I was only 6 yrs old!]

I am from a long line of Mormons -Latter-Day Saints- some still going strong, while others happily, peacefully, confidently "dwindle in disbelief." I am from the self-realization that regardless of religious sanctions or a lack thereof, we all need to learn to love one another and treat others as we want to be treated.

I am from Scandanavian blood, also English, Welsh and Walloon (some Mongolians who played around with zee French and settled in Belgium!). I am from the queen of springform cheesecakes, the mother of all things that can be canned, and homemade baked mac n' cheese.

I am from a tini-tiny, most modest apartment in Provo, UT, where two young, courageously passionate newlywed college kids decided to take a big risk and get pregnant anyhow, and kept the pregnancy against doctors' orders and family protests.

I am from dusty, unopened boxes in an Iowa basement and forgotten drawers in Idaho, chock full of papers, photographs and memories. I am from 'Books of Remembrance' all lovingly, meticulously and painstakingly assembled to demonstrate and define centuries of family heritage. I am from stashes of horded personal letters, get-well cards, notes and memos, college papers and volumes of unread journals left behind by my mother.

I am from years of denial, self-inflicted torture and triumphant self-discoveries.