By Lais Freitas

I am from the big city, from huge buildings, and lots of people
From watching the cars on the streets through the window of the ninth floor and imagining I
could play with them
From the little plant in the corner of the living room, constantly used to hide favorite dolls
From the pans in the kitchen cabinets, a perfect place to play hide and seek.

I am from the smell of the clean uniform every morning before school
From the sweet breeze of the sea on weekends on the beach
From the smell of roasted chicken coming from the kitchen on Sundays after church

I am from chirping birds on early mornings on the farm
From the sound of Grandfather’s filling the buckets with fresh warm milk
from the milking cows
From barking dogs when hearing the sound of somebody arriving
I’m from loud family reunions, everybody talking at the same time, laughing and trying
to fit everyone in the picture.

I am from proverbs “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” “Better late than never,” and
“A picture is worth a thousand words”
From the country song played on the old stereo by Grandfather while inviting all the
grandchildren to dance with him
From the early song Mother used, to wake the children up.

I am from feeling the warm sand under my feet during long walks on the beach,
looking for seashells
From the squish of the mud through bare feet while playing water balloon war with cousins on the farm
From the heat coming from the fireplace on winter nights.

I am from Sunday family reunion lunches with Grandma`s simple and tasty white rice,
fresh made beans, French fries and steak
A barbecue with all kinds of meat, lettuce, tomato, and potato salad
From brigadeiros (Brazilian chocolate balls) eaten at every birthday party
From sweet and creamy chocolate ice cream pie, carrot cake covered in chocolate,
and hot apple cinnamon pie with vanilla ice cream.

I am from those moments.

(Photo from Pixabay)