Who I Am

This was a Christmas gift to my parents.

Who I Am

I'm from Mike and Tammi Bennett.

From an artistic father and an athletic mother.

From a one-story, white-brick home with a boundary of pine trees in front.

I'm from an exciting hour of The Price is Right before preschool,

with my dad sitting next to me at my white plastic table.

I'm from a pink life-sized Minnie Mouse tent,

hiding from my mom while aching to see a carnation grasped in her hand.

I'm from quiet nights of watching Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella with my mom,

while munching on a bowl of freshly popped popcorn sprinkled with cheese.

I'm from ventures to the library in search of another Mr. Roger's book,

begging my dad to park in the upper lot for the chance to navigate the stairs.

I'm from a burgundy red station wagon,

constantly pleading to sit in the "way back" where seat belts did not exist.

I'm from an awning-covered back porch with a plastic blue and red sandbox,

furnished with magical castles and solidly constructed tunnels.

I'm from a fenced-in backyard filled with intense games of soccer and badminton,

where a tether ball game and a blue playground provided amusement.

I'm from a mother who transported me to an abundance of magical worlds,

including the Berenstain Bears and Dr. Suess before bedtime,

and from a father who taught me how to move my crayon and pencil

to create the magical worlds I read about.

I'm from a barrage of perfect Barbie dolls and pink Barbie accessories,

and a sparkle eyes Barbie for Christmas.

I'm from mountains of laundry that became my hiding places,

as I trekked across the house, trying to stay unnoticed.

I'm from hours of soaking in Disney Princess VCR tapes,

where the beautiful girl always captured the charming boy's heart.

I'm from competitive games of Chutes & Ladders, Candy Land & Uno,

where sharp squeals and bursts of laughter filled the room.

I'm from a house where prayers are said before every meal,

and where Sunday mornings are filled with church.

I'm from Mike and Tammi Bennett.

They have made me

WHO I AM.

~Stephani Bennett, 2010