I am from cooking and baking
From essential oils and dryer sheets
I am from the spacious, one story home in
Michigan
Where it feels comfortable and smells like lavender and home cooking

I am from the grand bay window in the living room that brings in the shiniest Sun on the hottest days.
The colossal crimson maple in the backyard whose long arms I remember I attempted to climb as a kid.
The aged limbs I remember as if they were my own

I’m from the bookshelves and candor
That my mom and my sister brought in
I’m from ‘Food is what we’re having for dinner’ and ‘Do we look like we have a money tree growing in the backyard?’
And from ‘Because I said so.’
A line that often caused anger.
I’m from ‘Life isn’t fair’ and ‘We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.’
And ‘Your mother and I are NOT Santa.’

I’m from long,...