We Are From

Just Keep Swimming!

We are from consistently showing up 

We are from walking through storms together

We are from beautiful detours

We are from soul filling belly laughter 

We are from never keeping score

Making a Lego Board for the Classroom

We are from first attempts in learning

We are from busy classrooms of happy children

We are from bringing play back into school

We are from inspiring notes sent in cursive by pigeon

We are from “I can’t believe it, but let’s go with it.”

Kayaking on Hood Canal

We are from retro bikinis

We are from colorful mermaid tails and laughter

We are from orange kayaks gliding on calm waters

We are from crazy late night bioluminescence paddles

We are from warming our souls in frigid waters

Stamps on Snail Mail

We are from exploring bookstores

We are from writing magnetic word stories

We are from a vast collection of ink

We are from uplifting snail mail with colorful wax seals

We are from words gathered out of rejected books

A Charcuterie Creation on a Summer Day

We are from crisp apples dipped in peanut butter

We are from scrumptious kitchen creations

We are from sweet New Zealand white wine

We are from Thursday conversations over dinner

We are from elegant sequin dresses

When the hill was long and steep

We are from take my hand and don’t let go

We are from long comfortable silent moments

We are from tear stained cheeks wiped gently

We are from delicate wildflower apologies

We are from divine secrets shared and kept to the grave

Alta Lake @ Whistler, Canada (First leech attack)

We are from surviving road trip snow blizzards in April

We are from spontaneous jump in the lake with your clothes on

We are from “I think I’m dying” hilly bike races

We are from meaningful songs sung loudly

We are from unexpected wild leeches

Tulip Town, WA

We are from curious camera lenses capturing moments

We are from charming tulip fields

We are from splendid old railroad cars

We are from adorable puppies that should not be left alone

We are from bear encounters to bare encounters

Staying on the Tracks

We are from finishing each other's sentences

We are from varied yet similar belief systems

We are from double dog dare moments

We are from non-verbal communication

We are from not sweeping it under the rug

Tomatoes from Try it Again and Again Garden

We are from sowing seeds of hope 

We are from thick seed catalogs and ordering enough to share

We are from beautiful bouquets that say you matter

We are from inhaling the alluring aroma of sweetpeas

We are from fresh cilantro and tomatoes turned pico

Explorations in Art

We are from hilarious imperfect loveable art

We are from vintage metal lunch box art kits

We are from impromptu paint sessions in unexpected places

We are from being drawn into the jaws of every art store

We are from constantly seeking inspiration

One of the Mermaids

We are from smooth pieces of sea glass

We are from uninhibited sand sculpture mermaids

We are from beach treasures collected and repurposed

We are from respecting the stance of the Dungeness crab

We are from experiencing the power of a million sand dollar cilia

We are from confetti exploding cannons

We are from monthly birthday celebrations

We are from giggle inducing tandem body scrubs

We are from discovering play in the mundane

We are from never growing up

Written by: Jackie Jones & Crystal Olp

2024