Jody Ohlsen Collins

Where I’m From #28By  Jody Ohlsen CollinsInspired by George Ella LyonI am from doughboy pools and homemade Barbie housesfrom Huffy bikes and Helms Bakery donuts.I am from three sisters to a room and broad green bermuda lawns.I am from bright sandy beaches and weeping willowswhose drooping green sheltered me from California’s sun.I am from Coppertone and Sun-Infrom Helen and Wes and John.I am from belting out a tune and scribbling in the darkfrom roller skating and tree-fort-buildingfrom fighting at the top of my lungs and finding quiet at any cost.I am from Bible stories with Mrs. Cluck and anywhere-you-can-take-5-kids-on-a-Sunday.I am from the Hebjums and Lindseys, a Best at heart with an adopted namefrom porkchops and sauerkraut, applesauce and meatloaffrom a father two generations back that made a grown girl fleeand a mother who lived chasing beauty wherever she could find it, rich or poor.But mostly poor.I am from luaus and carnivals, beach trips and berry-pickingbabysitting and in charge at age 12 and hiding with a book to make it all go away.I am from those moments of running, singing, writing, hiding, lying in the sunbut never far from the watchful eye of an invisible Fatherheld in arms more real than scratchy lawns and doughboy pools and donuts androller skates.A Father more present than my own skin, closer than the sunshine on my bright brown hair.Lover of my soul who was there every meandering minute, keeping time until I came home.Where to find Alyson:Website: https://www.alysonshelton.comSubstack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/