Blogtember- Where You Come From

After a little bit of thought, I have decided to participate in Blogtember. It seems like something that would be pretty fun. I have no idea if I'll be able to actually do this, but I'm going to give it a try!

Today's prompt:

Describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

Where someone comes from isn't just the city they grew up or their family, but also the teachers and schools that provided education as well as the coaches, instructors and organizations that were part of extracurricular activities.

Where I come from is so much more than my parents (happily married for 33 years), my siblings (a younger brother and sister), aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. It's more than my heritage (Irish and Italian decent), my education (Catholic elementary and high schools, Brock University), my volunteer experiences (Alumni Associations, Political Parties and Campaigns, Community and Non-Profit Boards, adviser,  fundraisng, event day, office volunteer). It's more than the City I grew up, the Town I summer in and the Region I work in. It's more than the dance studio, the swimming pool, the baseball diamond, the summer camps, the tennis courts. It's more than beliefs, traditions, qualities and attitudes.

Where and what I come from, is my roots.

I come from  a family that always put family first, from Thursday family dinners at Nonna's to giving up weekends for dance recitals and competitions, and a family that gives back to the communities we are apart of; through both financial means and time. I come from a family of unconditional love and loyalty. I come from a place of understanding, kindness and gratitude.

I come from many places; my family, friends, coworkers, educational institutions, volunteer opportunities, a beautiful city, a rural town, a faith community and a country- Canada- that I am proud to be associated with. I come from hard work, dedication, kindness, and the desire to give back. 

I come from a place, where it's not what others can do for me, but a place of what can I do to give back to the communities that I am member of. 

Everyday, I remind myself of where I come from...without these people, places and experiences, I would be a very different person, in a very different place.