I am from climbing the rocks by the beach with the dim morning light of the rising sun filtering through the morning fog of summertime.

I am from lying in my warm bed, giving into my dreams while listening to my mom sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”

I am from the foggy mornings in Monterey Bay watching the sun burn through the marine layer every day. The sun always won its morning battle, but while it struggled I would watch the rainbows come dancing through the fog.

I am from sitting in Mr. ***** coffee shop, sipping hot chocolate with piles of whipped cream and a smile on my face on cold Friday nights, listening to my dad play Paco Bell Cannon on violin while Hannah Beckham plays on the cello.

I am from playing in the waves on warm summer days; catching the sand ***** and throwing them back into the ocean. Finding seashells and putting them in my dad’s pocket so I didn’t have to carry them.

I am from walking down Soquel Creek, finding big rocks, falling in the water, riding on my dad’s shoulder on the way back because I got tired, and playing on the swing set that was at the end of it.

I am from hiking through Nicene Marks Redwood forest with my dad and whoever wanted to come. Watching the leaves fall down off the trees, ever so slowly, like angels falling from heaven.

I am from the night I moved from all I ever knew, watching my child hood home fading in the distance.  I watched while my friends waved at me as they faded away in both my vision and my memory. I never saw them again.  Goodbye, I whispered, as every thing I ever knew faded away. Goodbye.