I had an assignment in my Leadership Lawrence class this week to work on a poem for our final retreat. (I can’t believe that’s here already!) I haven’t felt much like writing lately (stupid chemo) but this one got me going, and now I’m sharing it with you.

I am from an ordinary life,
From baseball and long summer days.
I am from a small home with love seeping through the beams.
I am from the green grass,
The smell of summer wafting up from the freshly cut lawn.

I’m from faith and family,
From Janie and Paxton.
I’m from hard headed stubbornness,
And a caring ear,
From “you can do anything” and “keep your head on straight.”
I’m from blind faith,
And a spirit of hope.

I’m from Texas and Kansas,
Cowboy caviar and chicken fried steaks.
From the girl who believed that gullible was a word taken out of the dictionary to becoming one who always works to see the best in people.
I’m from doing what’s right and giving the benefit of the doubt,
From caring less for myself and more for others.