2 - Zack Rabold - I am From

I am From I am from sleeping in the car to early morning tournaments Starbucks and mcmuffins every weekend on the way out I am from practicing with my sister in the yard so I could be just as good as her I am from the constant bruises, aches, cramps, and sunburns The bittersweet smell of icy hot and coban the “you better not let that soccer bag stink up my house” and the “as long as you give it 100%” I am from summer road trips to national parks The ritual stress the night before from dad and the giddy optimism from mom Hitting the road and singing every word to all the old rock songs we could (which was a lot) Playing name that tune and iSpy the whole way there rest stops and gas stations for moms notoriously small bladder I am from the constant car sick stops on the side of the road And the customary f’real milkshake stop on the way home I am from late night parties with all the aunts and uncles Gin Rummy and hearts until we’re too tired to play Flashlight tag with all the cousins until midnight and the giggling at the kids table I am from uncle tommy flipping something in the bathroom upside down every time he visits The shortsheeting beds when people weren’t watching And that one time we shrink wrapped the minivan on christmas I am from coal dinner, making fun of everyone's accidents as they’re recapped from the year And the attempt at justification after while we all burst out laughing I am from the yearly speech and the cutthroat and backstabbing white elephant gift exchange I am from nerf wars and plastic sword ninja battles all over the house Hide and seek with the dogs Magic tricks with dad Halo game nights with dad and uncle david And the trash talk all throughout I am from any sport we could learn to play in the street with friends Or even our own games like hatball or kick off game I am from sleepovers at grandma and grandpas Going to church with grandma just for the food and getting told how tall we’ve gotten by her friends I am from the sweet smell of gasoline and grease working on the bronco The swear words and music filling the garage The drop in our stomach when something went wrong And the glow on my dads face when it finally ran I am from the family The ones we were given and the ones we made I am from soccer, cars, music, comics, movies, pranks, games And everything else i’ve learned from my family