Where I'm From

Where I’m From

By Marissa Rosenbloom

I am from unpaved roads, from Oscar Mayer and bologna sandwiches.

I am from the white two story house with many, many rooms and even more beds for anyone who needed to lay their head.

I am from the marungay tree, tall, strong, bearing fruits and leaves that fed us when we were hungry.

I am from Timotea, the Menors, and Tamontes, honest to a fault, officious sages, slow to anger, and sometimes frightening to bear.

I am from celebrating every birth, death, marriage, baptism, graduation, anniversary that life provides with family and friends close or far.

I am from “You better not get pregnant,” and, “You better graduate from college.”

I am from Voodoo Catholics, pictures of Mary and Baby Jesus, keeping a watchful eye on our prayers and sins.

I'm from Oahu and 5,000 miles east to the Philippines, pancit and sticky bibingka.

From a mother whose strength kept a dividing family together. From a father with too strong an addiction to what can destroy, but an even stronger addiction to the woman who helped him survive.

I am from ling hing mui memories of childhood, on the tip of your tongue, with only a moment to taste, but a lifetime to savor.