A Reflection

From sitting in the middle of a big pile of picture books.
From scrumptious mud pies and lopsided sandcastles
from my own private beach.
From carpet, windmill, and Johnson grass
and all the little creatures that hide there.
Helping the crepe myrtle trees shower their soft pink flowers
all over the ground.
I am from runaway pigs, playfully stubborn steers,
old blue jeans, dirty boots, and a purple baseball cap.
From John and Stephanie,
From teaching, ranching, and the great outdoors.
From hard work, good manners, and more chores.
I am from Lutherans and Baptists
The Lord's Prayer, books of the Bible, and the twenty-third Psalm.
I am from small-town living with an emphasis on family values.
I am from playing the piano with Grandma at my side
and curling up on Grandpa's lap when he sits in his big brown chair.
I am from a small corn patch and tall golden sunflowers.
From watching a beautiful sunset, listening to the cows graze,
and laughing as my little dog
jumps through the over-grown grass.
I am from those moments....
a leaf of my family tree.

written by my cousin, Amanda Lanier,
in winter 2005 when she was 9 years old