"I am from..." writing Assignment from Susan Slowes Blog

I can remember being in the 4th grade when we were watching the space shuttle launch live on t.v. at school and not knowing why the teacher's were upset when the space shuttle exploded. I didn't know it wasn't suppose to. Did I just give away my age?

I am from a small rural Arkansas town where I saw no diversity except when I was on vacation with my family.

I am from the house of a homemaker where I thought everyone's mom made homemade sourdough bread everyday.

I am from being raised 3 miles outside of town, where my closest neighbors were, my grandparents.

I am from a family of six, including parents and being the 3rd child in birth order. I always had a weird fantasy of finding out I was adopted and finding my 'real family.'

I am from a mother who encouraged perfectionism especially in looks and appearance, and talked freely about other people's flaws, especially overweight family members.

I am from getting unwanted attention from being a redhead by weird uncles and family members.

I am from a strict southern Baptist upbringing hearing hell, fire, and brimstone sermons 3x a week, and going home everytime from church thinking I was a bad person, and going to hell. I am now an adult Methodist.

I am from a small rural Arkansas town picking/eating fresh garden vegetables every summer, and seeing/watching family members can veggies every late summer. Pinto Beans and cornbread were eaten weekly.

-Amy Sullivan