I Am From...

I am from the music I play, from the sport I love and from the
movies I watch.
I am from a small, yet very large house with many memories.
I am from the slippery wet fields I play on at 6am, and from the
warm-watered beaches consuming beautiful Mexico.
I am from the prayers we give before dinner and from the
happiness of my lovable obnoxious family, from the simplicity of
my uncle Cesar to the complexity of my uncle Danny to the
curiosity of my grandfather.
I am from the forgetful grandmother that always asks if Im
hungry and the independent grandfather who enjoys his times of
peace while watching the game with his eyes closed.
From being told to speak up because nobody can hear you and
constantly reminded of the fact that I was a dark Mexican.
I am from the cross embedded in my bible. The never ending faith
I have in Christianity that gives me meaning and guidance in life.
Im from the formality of a Kaiser baby from Riverside, born and
raised through a Mexican ancestry, where ceviche is life and
street taco stands are reminiscent of heaven.
From the times my great grandfather would cross the border
every week to support the happy Mexican American family that
lives today, to the hard work with little pay, and to the brutality
created from non-conformity.
I am from the family gatherings we have at Irvine Regional Park
and the bonfires we have at Huntington Beach. From the long 12
hour road trips to poverty stricken towns our grandparents were
raised were raised in. Showing us where Im really from and how
grateful I should unwillingly be.