Where MamaKaren is From
I am from magnetic letters on the refrigerator, from Tupperware Shape-O Toys and Super Balls and Trivial Pursuit.
I am from the green and gold shag carpets, the deck my dad built, the sound of the ice-cream man making his way down the cul-de-sac to my driveway.
I am from a summer tomato garden, Queen Anne's Lace next to the walkpath to school, goldenrod that aggrevates my allergies, and a perfect sledding hill that empties into the development's common ground.
I am from multi-generational birthday parties and off key singing and Mel Brooks quotes and beer cans stashed behind the panelling as the uncles finished the basement, from Nanna and Grampie, and Eileen and Pop-Pop, and Mimi.
I am from "you aren't living up to your potential" and "Your sister was always so smart" that eventually turned into "I can't believe how well you handle it all" and me being amazed that anyone is asking me for advice.
I am from lighting the Advent wreath and fasting on Lenten Fridays, from never turning away from the people you love when they need help, and from a definition of "family" that expands beyond blood or marriage.
I'm from Scandinavian skin tones, Irish tempers and Hungarian stubborness; from beigli and chruschiki, and from devils food cookies at breakfast time.
I come from dirty looks from the Sodality ladies when the baby makes noise at a funeral (but the baby's Grandy didn't mind at all), from posting embarrassing family photos from the 70s on Facebook. From some family members who still send the cheesy Christmas letter, contrasted with the family members who artfully spoof it. I come from banding together to face teen pregnancies, multiple marriages and divorces, alcoholism, mental illness and gender confusion.
I come from falling asleep to "Stewball" and "Teen Angel" and "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia." I come from living an hour away from cherry blossoms, but never visiting them. I come from vacations excursions to the water slide and bumper boats, from watching fireworks from the balcony because there is no way in hell we are fighting traffic on the Coastal Highway.
I come from a place where change always seems to come around to something familar.
