Writings

“I AM FROM”

I am from cornfields, wheat fields and farms

I am from horses, stray dogs and stray cats

I am from books, bibles and poems

I am from Elvis, the Beatles and Brahms

I am from principles, grounded in faith

I am from my father: strong values and beliefs

I am from freedom and human rights,

I am from equality, underdogs and fights

I am from passion, purpose and conviction

I am from John Kennedy: idealism and determination.

I am from airplanes, travel and exploring

I am from pate, steak tartar, and tart flambé

I am from dumplings, fried rice and Peking duck

I am from diversity, of geographies and cultures

I am from Alain: adventurous and daring

I am from puzzles, mysteries and exploring

I am from discovering the new and still unknown

I am from wondering- about possibilities and purpose

I am from reflections – improving and changing

I am from Kam: learning and growing

I am from Emma, Eliot and Gail

I am from Sook Yee, Tze Fai and Huang Cheng Chen

I am from Grandma Kroese and Grandpa Bolks

I am from Jean Paul: family, love and caring

I am from all of you, friends and loved ones

I am from experiences and opportunities

Influenced by special people who have added greatly to my being

Cheryl’s brother Carl set her poem to music. He composed and performed this beautiful tribute.