Thursday, September 22, 2011

Where I'm From

I am from incense, from Barbie, and raw milk in a five gallon bucket.

I am from 219 Lakewood. Grandma. A laundry chute. Before Detroit was Detroit.


I am from the honeysuckle, the peacock.

I am from too many jokes and sparkly eyes, from Cieslak and Moroski and Wells.

I am from the quick tears and the easy laughter and the winning is everything.

From you're too good for that and someday you'll thank me.

I am from saris and bangles and the temple at 5 a.m. From don't love too much...it's all an illusion.

I’m from Los Angeles and Poland, microwaved baby pizzas made with english muffins and dahl.

From his days spent in airports handing out books, the shaved head, and the mother who wondered if she'd ever know her son. Then daughter.

I am from lost phone numbers and changes of address, unreturned calls, fading memories. From running and secrets. I am from escape.



Mama’s Losin’ It
Thanks to Mama Kat for sharing the inspirational template for this post

32 comments :

  1. Dwija you are fascinating to me! Thanks for sharing these snippets--they leave me always wanting to know more!

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  2. I want to know more too. Take this post piece by piece and fill us in.

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  3. I went to a writing workshop for ESL teachers a few years ago and they had a template similar to this - I love it! Everybody's come out different and beautiful (and it makes everybody so interesting!. I completely forgot about it, but now I want to write my own. Mind if I borrow your idea?

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  4. Love it. I just had the kids to it on their blogs for their writing assignment today, and I think I'll follow.

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  5. Oh wow, this is incredible. What an amazing look at your life.

    I agree - I want some of the stories!

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  6. Thanks, guys. I'm trying to be more brave...so maybe soon :)

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  7. Hard to share our beginnings, because they are what formed us. But, that doesn't mean that they define who we are today. While I'd love to hear your stories, Dweej, what I appreciate the most is YOU, as you are TODAY. Proud of you.

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  8. Dwija, you are awesome. It sounds like the first page of a really great novel.

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  9. If my comment appears twice, it's Google's fault but...at least you will see that I absolutely loved this...twice!

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  10. I was gonna say what's already been said... :)

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  11. If you guys try it, brace yourselves for the unexpected!

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  12. Oh I agree!! Absolutely fascinating and definitely leave me wanting to dig deeper! Beautiful beautiful!

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  13. Beautiful!! So many questions, but that is the best part of it all. Will keep us wondering and coming back for more. :)

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  14. Very well written. Told me a lot, but left me wondering.

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  15. Makes me want to give that little girl a hug. xo

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  16. This is beautiful! You are wonderful and fascinating :)

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  17. I am dying to know all your stories.

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  18. It makes me sad, Dwija. Prayers up.

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  19. Thank you all for your kind words and prayers. Things are so good and different now, though. The past is just a story. Maybe one I'll be able to tell someday...

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  20. Oh Dwija, I feel so much emotion reading this. You're tossing out tantalizing hints, peaking our curiosity, and stirring up emotions! We'd love to hear the whole story! Like the others, I too find you and your life fascinating. You seriously could, I mean *should*, as in *gotta* write a book! Everyone loves an inspiring life transformational story. And I'm particularly curious. From what I can tell, it seems that I grew up as you did, but I can only guess that your experience of our "shared" childhood may have been worlds apart from mine. And the most curious thing to me is that though I'm still wearing the saris and bangles and getting up at 4 something am (though my husband and daughter have their very own wake-up times... LoL :D), your present life, the day to day experiences that you share here, your joys, your hopes, your prayers really resonate with me. I feel that we aren't really very different. Perhaps we are the same in that we both chose to quit the "escape from the world/don't love too much"(cultish?) mentality to embrace a love for God in a family/community-oriented way. In other words, though our lifestyles and choices may appear drastically different, are they really? I'm dying to know how your past brought you to where you are today. I can't imagine that it's an easy story to tell though. And I don't blame you for dangling tantalizing tidbits. :o) Keep peaking our curiousity and maybe you'll catch the attention of a curious publisher who's as fascinated as we are and will cut a book deal for ya!

    I love the photo. Maybe I was with you when it was taken? The sari and the horse aren't so compatible. But I love your smile. And still do... Hugs <3 <3 <3

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  21. mnYou know, the most interesting part of this to me is that the "escape" at the end refers to a whole slew of things and stories and tendencies and ways that things came about. And mostly not at all about my faith conversion. Interesting!

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  22. Dweej, this is brilliant. I loved this glimpse into your past, into where you're from and what made you so marvelous. Your story from the very beginning is such a compelling one. I just love reading more and more about you.

    Oh, and your a kick-butt writer, too, cause DANG GIRL, this was good!

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  23. Hey D...I remember you back in HS and you were so awesome (the true definition) and kind and freakin smart (duh, it was english class, of course you would be brilliant). Ah, somethings never change. :O) All those experiences made you who you are today. ~ LD

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  24. Wow! You are such a unique person. I want to know more, too! Are you gonna fill us in? I'm very interested. You could start writing your memoir. :)

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  25. I agree with Katie, this is a great story. Thanks for sharing it with your followers.:)

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  26. You're awesome. And you know, when you post little snippets like this, you are ASKING for stalkers. Like me. And all the other commenters :) WE WANT MORE DWEEJ.

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  27. Dwija, I can't lie, I am really curious about the earlier years of your life. I wish you'd start at the beginning and tell us everything. Please?

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