Where I'm From

I am from my magic 8 ball, giving its many imprecise answers. From my dad’s drum set, and the piano I used to play when I was young. I am from the sweet, luscious smell of my mom’s homemade cookies, and the ambience of the birds chirping just outside of my window. I am from the beautiful plant that I named Pedro, and the small cacti that prick my fingers whenever I lay my hand on them. I am from long Christmas mornings and Halloween pillow cases, filled to the brim with tasty treats. From Kate, Aidan and all of my wonderful cousins. I’m from my grandpa’s golden-beige teddy bear, and the doll my mom has in her office, and from all of my grandpa’s old pictures. I’m from “I love you” and “An eye for an eye makes the world go blind.” I’m from nostalgic family dinners. I’m from Winnipeg, Manitoba and my extended family is from the beautiful cities of India, Britain and Finland, and they all love Indian food. From my grandpa’s twelve long years of kidney cancer and his absence from the world since June 27th 2016. From the long lost memories that drift beneath my dreams. I’m from the ups and downs of the rollercoaster I’m still riding.