Meg Nocero

 Where I’m From #11By Meg NoceroInspired by George Ella LyonThe Italian-American Dreamer – to be seen and appreciated for our culture’s contributionsThe story of my family explored and written about after spending hours in a closet with preciousmemories and photosCherishing the stories of those pioneers who came before me, celebrating our roots and addingon to legacy.I Am From PoemI am from magical pixie dust and an imagination that knew no bounds.From hours spent creating dresses and stories around my Barbies and trying my luck at the Gameof Life.I am from the suburbs of Altamonte Springs walking distance away from a big park with tenniscourts where we spent hours playing and pretending we were Charlie’s Angels after school.From a beautiful, 5 bedroom home, filled with loud conversations and lots of love.I am from the sweet scent of roses and the magic of butterflies.Blossoming and bursting with incredible colors. Flying free, proud of my many transformations.I’m from an Italian-American family of passionate people and hard workers. Education andservice were values, but love and support kept us tied to each otherFrom two young lovers, Mary Jo and Michael, the second-generation Italian Americans whogrew up in New York City that were courageous as they set out to create their own story inFlorida away from their families. From an expectation of excellence and an ethos of perfectionpassed down for each child to accomplish great things and make the family proud. FromPoliticians, lawyers, judges, doctors, teachers, educators—requiring nothing less than a strongwork ethic, each doing their part to serve. From passionate, faith-filled and hard-working peoplewho set out to make a difference in this world for their children and their communities. Frompeople who set out to create something beautiful together.I’m from the intelligent, thoughtful and generous members of my family who paved the way forincreased possibilities of success in the realization of my own dreams.From everything will be ok when things went awry to don’t disappoint or bring shame to yourfamily holding still to our greatest potential.I’m from a Catholic family who believed spirituality and love were the cornerstone of life- moreimportant than dogma- from people who did not follow and with a whole lot of curiosity andcritical thinking, question everything.I’m from Florida, but come from Napoli/Sicily and other parts of Italy by way of New York,where many want to wake up in city that does not sleep and dreams come to life.From traditional Italian family meals on Sunday after church of spaghetti and marinara sauce –salad bathed in oil and vinegar and celebrated birthdays with Carvel cake- at the dinner table – asif around a campfire, we gathered together as master storytellers passing on lifetimes oftraditions and hope.I come from movies- the pictures that can change the world- stepping into a theater andimmersing myself in a story come to life.I am made from dreamers and am a realized dream to my parents – I am ready to continuerealizing my own dreams and I risk and take a leap of faith becoming a master storyteller sharinginspiration with whomever wishes to hear.Where to find Meg:Website: https://www.megnocero.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megnoceroWhere to find Alyson:Website: https://www.alysonshelton.comSubstack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/