Where I’m From
Sheila Sims Iding
I am from Lorne Jacques Sims
Loving father
Caring husband
Compassionate pet owner
Strong man…inside and out
Saturday night hair curler
Finger nail polisher
Birthday cake maker
Pheasant hunter guide
Champion optimist
Brilliant old school coach
Keeper of the bar of high expectations
Shared secret word whispered before bed
I am from Mary Jane Sims
Stifled teacher
Disease fighter
Demonstrator of life’s tough lessons
I am from two older sisters, Susan and Sharon
Best friends
Worst enemies
Adversity partners
Comfort givers
Torment providers
Sports fans
Favorite teammates
Hand me down donators
Bugging each other
Embracing each other
Forever bond
I am from a small, poor country house
Shared bedroom
Bunk beds
Grandma’s quilts
Crammed closet
Drawers in hallway
Holes in wall
Mice in basement
Big picture window – stage to the world
I am from a father’s cooking
Same meal every Monday (pot pies)
Same meal every Tuesday (hot dogs)
Same meal every Wedneday (chicken)
(you get the idea)
Same meal, same meal, same meal.
I am from family conference each Sunday evening
Talk about mom’s illness
“earn” allowance (or not)
complaint time (for the entire week)
voices and opinions mattered
a father ahead of his time
I am from a country yard
5 peach trees
a plum tree
one pear tree (but no partridge)
that big climbing tree with the swing
the weeping willow
the softball diamond back yard
the corn field homerun fence
mom’s pansies and irises
dad’s lavendar plants
soft bed of grass for cloud watching
favorite pets’ graveyard
field stone chimney
garden tending forgotten
my whole world in one yard
I am from emotions
Feeling abandoned – stayed with grandparents all summer
Feeling scared – mom will die
Dad will die too?
Feeling anxious – don’t want to grow up
Leave my climbing tree
Feeling envy – other friends’ moms aren’t sick
Feeling loved – nightly prayers (on our knees) followed by
“God bless your little heart” and a hug and kiss.
Mostly, I am from feeling loved…and blessed.