Today I am linking up with SheLoves Magazine. I just love them, all of them, all of the time. I love their heart, their open arms, their vision for the women of this world. I love the way they walk the walk before they ever talk the talk. I love the way they host link-ups like this so we can really get to know each other and talk about the things that matter.
This poem is an excercise I have done many times in the classroom with my students. They always turn out beautifully and they always surprise both the writer and the reader. I hope you do one even if you don’t have a blog. I hope you would be willing to share it with me.
“I Am From”
Adapted by Levi Romero; Inspired by “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon
I am from baked potatoes and sweet corn
From second-hand cars and homemade birthday cakes.
I am from the a small house on a big corner lot, where everyone who knew us knew where we hid the key.
I am from the huge oak tree in the front yard where we promised to meet in an emergency.
From the side yard dogwood grafted together long before we got there blooming both colors just in time for mother’s day and prom pictures beneath the pink and white cross-shaped blossoms.
I’m from hymns and advent candles and big brown eyes
from Easter sunrise service down by the river with a quilt a piece and the gospel choir there to keep us warm.
I’m from if it is really important to you, and if the library has a book on it we can probably figure it out.
I’m from you must be a Michael with those eyes and the famous France temper. The full names of us and all our cousins sung to us at night.
I’m from Words of LIFE! yelled in frustration and of course they can stay for dinner. I am from a table where there is always room for another chair
I’m from Hoosier country from all sides if you go back far enough. A place where truth and grace and welcome are as abundant as sweet corn in the middle of July.
The template for this can be found here. Try it. It is fun.
Abby Norman 
O, Abby … thank you!
This is stunning. And that last line–whew: “A place where truth and grace and welcome are as abundant as sweet corn in the middle of July.” What a beautiful heritage you have … The trees, the key, the welcome. Thank you for sharing!
Very, very, cool. I might use it with my adult literacy classes, but would probably simplify it down to about 1/2 or 2/3 as many blanks to fill in. If you have already made a simplified version, please share with me. I won’t get to this too soon.
there are a ton of versions out there if you just google it. I used it at Banneker and they loved it. And my mom has used it in community college and her kids love it.
Love me some Mad Libs!
This made me cry, we r so blessed with where we r from. And im so glad im from where u r from!
I know. I can’t believe it. We pretty much won the emotional lottery as far as childhoods are concerned.
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I left out the dogwood tree in mine! We took a lot of photos in front of it too!
Of course you did. I love dogwood trees.
I love this, Abby! It brings back so many memories from sitting in the extra chair at your dinner table. Your family is a blessing in so many ways. 🙂
Thank you! I remember you sitting in that extra chair.
Great idea for an English (or French or Spanish, etc)
class!
En espanol! Oh I love that idea.
Great idea! Thank you!
This is so fun! You have persuaded me to join in. I like that your family always had an extra chair.