Where I'm From

Adapted poem from George Ella Lyon's poem and writing project, "Where I'm From." Go here to learn more. http://www.georgeellalyon.com/where.html

In 2020, due to the Covid pandemic, our family didn’t gather for Christmas, so I searched my memory for all I loved and remembered about childhood Christmases and put the words down on paper as a gift to my parents that year.

May the light and love of the holiday season be with you in the coming year of 2026!

Where I’m From

I am from real live Christmas trees

	   (forest green, pine-scented, long needles)

Trudging through knee deep snow to discover the perfect tree

I am from stringing plain popcorn and tangy cranberries,

           and vibrant rings of construction paper into mile long garlands,

	   nestled among the multicolored blinking lights, mirrored glass balls

I’m from gathering around the television with sisters and brother, drawn into

            the annual retelling of Rudolph, Charlie Brown, and The Grinch

            Who Stole Christmas.

I’m from homemade matching red corduroy dresses adorned with

            white collars and cuffs,

brimming with anticipation at the arrival to Uncle and Auntie’s

Christmas Eve party, a joyful reunion with cousins, yearning to open gifts.

I am from the profound, Holy night of a midnight blue sky scattered with

            glittering stars, searching for the Bethlehem star that guided

            the Wise Men.

I’m from the giddy delight of waking at 4 a.m. on Christmas morning, the

 “I can’t sleep another wink,” perching on the hard stairway with brother

  and sisters until we dared rouse Mom and Dad from their

             ‘long winter’s nap.’

I am from Christmas mornings surrounded by a mountain of presents, of frantic paper ripping, squeals of delight when the much-wanted gift is unwrapped;

             (a Beautiful Chrissy doll, down-hill skis, Flexible Flyer sleds,

             the Game of Life, a coveted book)

I’m from long, lazy Christmas days, playing with new toys, games, waiting

	     to fill our bellies with spicy spaghetti sauce and meatballs over pasta;

	     crusty, fresh bread; decadent Cook’s Delight.

I am from Christmas moments; warm, delightful, immeasurable -- packaged

            and beribboned, a repository to draw on throughout a lifetime.

©2020 Kim Richardson, adapted from “Where I am From” by George Ella Lyon