Where I'm From

I’ve heard it been said that if you don’t know where you’re from, you’ll have a hard time knowing where you are going. This very idea helps us to think about our roots as we begin to know our place in the world. A few years ago I was introduced to George Ella Lyons poem called “Where I’m From.” I loved this poem and began writing my own “Where I’m From” each year. Today, I use it as a writing assignment for my students and hope it lends itself to a wonderful exploration of their past and sense of belonging in this world.

Click here to listen to George Ella Lyon read "Where I'm From."


My Where I'm From

I am from metal lunch boxes,
From Estee Lauder perfume on the bathroom counter, and tacos for dinner.

I am from the back yard swing set
A splintered redwood deck
A dusty ball court
A place to wash cars in the summer.

I am from heart-leaf philodendrons watered every Saturday,
The old English rose bush whose blooms clung to the bay window peeking inside.

I am from breakfast on Christmas morning.
And being resourceful.

From Susanne Mae and Geraldine and Grandpa J.
I am from workaholics and gardeners
From family men and weekends at the lake.
From “never say I told you so” and “kiss me goodnight.”

I am from church—twice on Sunday,
and Wednesday night bible class.
From Jordan’s Stormy Banks and Canaan’s Land.
I am from Brush Arbor singing and Dinner on the Grounds.
From Springfield, Missouri and Pennsylvania Dutch.

I am from homemade ice cream and Granny’s “Half as Much” pie crust.
Red-eye gravy and Springfield Cashew Chicken.

From dad, skipping class to shoot buckets,
and mom, changing into mini-skirts at the bus stop,
and the two of them stealing kisses in the ’55 Chevy two-door hardtop.

I am from the picture box, bursting at the seams,
old and sturdy,
that makes us laugh on Christmas eve.

On my way to the bathroom...Maroon Day 1

Whew! I'm tired! Maroon Day 1 was exhausting. I've been busy all summer but there's nothing that takes it out of you more than the first day back to school. Answering questions. Giving directions. Sorting schedules. Fixing the copy machine. Finding time to eat, drink, and go the bathroom...and that's usually where I'm stopped.

"Ms. Daugherty!" a student will yell, like one male student did today. I stop mid-step hoping I don't wet my pants in the middle of the freshman hall.

"Yes?" I reply.

"Are you the one I talk to about Senior Project?"

Oh good, this will be short. "Yeah. What do you need?"

"Well..." (uh, oh. not short.) "I was wondering if I could put a stereo system into my car for my Senior Project."

"I can't say yes for sure right now, but it sounds like a great idea. Let's talk about it in class." I start toward the bathroom again. I mean, obviously it's only the first day of school and I just haven't had this student in class yet. Otherwise, he would know that we will start Senior Projects on October 1.

"But I'm not a senior. I just wanted to get a head start."

Hold the bathroom break.

"OH. Well, in that case, I'll need a lot more information before you get started. And we'll need to write a plan," (hoping this will dissuade him.)

"I'm gonna"

"And I really only have time" I completely interrupt him, "to work with seniors working on their projects this year. You and I will need to meet later."

"Well," trying to convince me of the 'go ahead', "I would build the speaker boxes and everything, including putting all the sound equipment in."

Hmmph. I've got to get to the bathroom. "Well, come back and I'll talk a little more in-depth with you about it, but let's get school underway for a few more days before we meet again. I'll have time to think about it then."

Content with that, he was on his way to 4th block and I was racing to the bathroom!

So, it was encouraging to see fresh and friendly faces at school. Some students were dressed to for the occasion, wearing their best new school clothes...and some, well, the same old ratty jeans and t-shirts that seem to be the fashion of the day.

The funniest moment occurred when I got so tickled walking by Mr. Rodgers room and felt a rush of cool air coming from his classroom. This can only mean one thing: my room is a freezer! Mr. Rodgers likes his room cool, especially with nerves and anxieties that come with the first day of school and talking to a whole new group of strangers every block.

Overall, a great day at WSHS.

Psalm 131

My heart is not proud;
I don't look down on others.
I don't do great things,
and I can't do miracles.
But I am calm and quiet,
like a baby with its mother.
I am at peace, like a baby with its mother.

Put your hope in the Lord, now and forever.

CHP Helicopter Pilots

All in a days work of a CHP Rescue Helicopter Pilot...which is what Tyler's doing now since last fall.

Questions....Can you answer them?

Here are a few random questions I was asked throughout the day...that I remember...and I don't think it scratches the surface:

Can I work in your room today?
What would you say if I told you I was finished with my paper?
Why do all wars start with religion?
Why won't people listen?
What did you think about the guitar playing?
Was it good?
How do I cut the part about macro invertebrates and still keep the same idea flowing in my paper?
Will you rap for us in class tomorrow?
What should I do to my product?
Did you like the play?
How do I shorten this?
Do you feel privileged?
Can you show me an example of a really good introduction?
What did you think of the sound effects?
Can you tell me if my Found poem fits with the second paragraph of my paper?
How will I ever pay for college?
If I wanted to get a loan, what do I need to do?
How much does college cost?
I've already been accepted, but when do I need to tell them I'm going to college there?
Do you know where I can get a job?
Do I have to work today?
Who would ever, in their right mind, read the entire book of Gone With the Wind?
Can we take a nap?
Can Eric stay in my classroom third block today?
Would you send Kurtis to the office?
What if I don't pass the placement exam?
Do I double-space the Works Cited page?
Do you have my flash drive?
What do you think Heaven is?
Do you think I should combine these two paragraphs and cut the part about salaries?
Do I double-space individual entries on Works Cited...even within the same entry?
How do I put this information in a graph?
Why does someone think a "bad" Christian is going to Heaven over, say, a good Muslim or Mormon?
What does forgiveness mean?
What do you think about me writing poems to start each section?
What do you suggest I start with in my introduction?
Do I have to combine all the characters right now to write a short story?
Can I use the movie "Super Size Me" as a source in my paper?
Can I go to the bathroom?
Can I get a drink of water?
Can I go to the library?
Can I go to lunch early?
What color is that?
Can we warm-up talk today?
Can we stop writing?
Can you proofread my resume, if you have time?
Do we have to go to school on Saturday?
When are you coming to look at our products?
Will you wait until after Alpha Rho Tau before you take the collage?
Can I write a poem about my daughter?
What did you think about Nickel and Dimed?
Can you come over on Sunday to see my Senior Project?
We've found a way to make $288,000, want to split it with us?
We're dropping out of school, what do you say to that?
Can you print my paper?
Do you want to see my bruise?
Will you write me a letter of recommendation?
Are you telling me "anyways" ain't a word?
What does "Not Yet" on my paper mean?
WHO got the "Approved by Ms. Daugherty" stamp?
Are you sure you know what you're doing?
Can we all just introduce ourselves?
When is spring break?
Can I read my writing out loud today?
Ms. Daugherty, why you lookin' at me like that?
Would you read this for me and tell me what you think about the storyline?
Is there a way to call outside of the school?
Can I check this book out?
Did you like The Horse Whisperer?
Would you cover my lunch duty on Tuesday?
Have you had a piece of cake today?
Are you wanting something from McDonald's?
What could we do for our senior prank?
Can you believe we worked the entire block?
What do you think is right about religion?
If I had two different jobs but at the same place, are those two different bullets on my resume?
Is something wrong, Ms. Daugherty?
What magazines would you like to keep for next year?
What does it mean to write visually?
Am I the "responder" of the paper? Or am I the "author"?
Do I put my name there?
Which title do you like?
Why are you always running out of post-it notes?
How did you get so happy?
At what point do we stop all this nonsense?