I am from the Pine Barrens and Seaside Heights, from the snowcapped Rockies and broad plains below.

I am from small feet heavy with outsized rollerskates, from boxy red plastic Sears & Roebuck record players and buckets of legos, from delight in drippy Carvel ice cream cones with extra sprinkles.

I am from The Beatles “Something New” and “Abbey Road,” from The Kingston Trio and The Everly Brothers, from ABBA and ELO.

I am from the 1970s split-level, from dark wood panelling and yellow linoleum, from avocado green appliances and the long, beckoning metal limbs of a backyard swingset.

I am from the Wild Columbine and the Common Milkweed, from a strange, dense forest of knotted and sinewy pine. I am from big sky and tumbleweeds, from the land of prairie dogs and rattlesnakes, too.

I am from thinkers and dreamers, workers and soldiers and immigrants and fighters, from passionate men and strong women with sailor’s mouths.

I am from Choose Your Own Adventure and Snoopy and the Red Baron, from Hello Kitty and Where The Sidewalk Ends.

I am from memories of giants and fairies, from days spent adventuring and seeking, unearthing fossils from parched soil that once was seabed.

I am from pigtails and muddy sneakers, from dirtbikes and skinned knees. I am from a tomboy’s uniform of jeans and a grubby t-shirt.

I am from Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, from Star Wars and Jason and the Argonauts. I am from In Search Of and Star Trek, Charlie’s Angels and The A-Team.

I am from Hail Mary, full of grace, and Holy Communion – both lost to me now.

I am from endurance and hope and laughter. From parents who told me with conviction that I could do anything a man could do, be anything a man could be – be anything I wanted or dreamed of – and I believed them.

That’s where I’m from.