WHERE I’M FROM - OCTOBER 3 2025
I am from beanie babies and juicy fruit,
From butterfly clips and pink lip gloss,
From the little white house on the corner with the big bodacious garden,
from black and white trim, to the striped shade umbrella
I am from the angelic grey statues and the pink fluffy peonies that smell like mom,
From the freshly cut grass and the screened in porch full of friendship and laughter,
I am from birthdays in the backyard to lighting candles and blowing wishes in the flame,
I am from belly laughs on Hanukkah, with Ellen, Marisa, Lee, and Matt on Christmas Eve with champagne in hand,
I am from liberal opinions about politics, and louder opinions about making Jewish babies and quickly,
I am from “don’t eat so fast Hannah, you’ll get a stomach ache”
And “just 5 more pounds and those pants will fit and you’ll be beautiful”
From “L’shana Tova” Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur at Ma’s house in detroit,
and the booming voice of the juliard trained cantor at Temple Israel,
And the three candles of the past, present and future at every bar and bat mitzvah,
And finding the affikoman in the couch cushions at Cousin Randie’s house in bloomfield hills,
I am from pink peonies and lilac trees,
From soft sand at sleeping bear
To the cold lake water in Michigan,
To people laughing and playing Euchre
To people caring too much or not at all
About everyone else’s appearance
I am from East Lansing and the Ukraine, from noodle Kugel and Dad’s home made chocolate chip cookies,
From walking in New York City in the rain with Aunt Ellen, Mom, and Marisa with trash bags on our bodies to keep from getting hypothermia, and laughing until my cheeks hurt.
I am from the last campsite with that last slice of pizza, at the last parking spot available in northern Michigan on a camping trip with Dad.
I’m from bookshelves and shoe boxes overstuffed with faces I love
Memories of the past, and of 1 pound 11 ounce little baby Hannah
and a wedding that was beautiful but a marriage that didn’t last.
But that gave me the grace and gumption
And gusto of life that got me where I am, took me where I go,
And always take me back
To where I’m from.