I come from

I COME FROM A PLACE

I come from a place where mango trees abound.

I come from a place where most kids had hanabata during the cold season and it was normal.

I come from a place where as kids; we’d all climb up the trees to pick mangoes.

I come from a place where aluminum extension pools would reach every single mango during the harvest.

I come from a place where as coffee farmer’s kids we made our own dolls with coffee sticks and leaves.

I come from a place where if you fell down, you just pick yourself right up and climber up the tree again.

I come from a place where if you were naughty, the teacher would spank you

I come from a place where if you were late,  the third grade teacher would have you line –up and give you a slap on the hand with a ruler.

I come from a place where dad was the boss and when he raised his voice, we would  all listen and behave.

I come from a place where summer vacations meant cousins from Honolulu would come and stay at grandmas and we’d play all day long while the grown-up talk.

I come from a place where for fun; we’d make tunnels in the tall grass and make tree houses as a kid’s only club -house.

I come from a place where after school; we’d all walk home together if you lived down the same way.

I come from a place where sleepovers were lots of fun and often times a way to play hooky from school.

I come from a place where grandma’s house was THE BEST PLACE TO GO. 

I come from a place where grandma always had candy and treats for us after school.

I come from a place where as kids, grandma would spread the futon on the living room floor and all of us kids would sleep together.

I come from a place where if you got hapai in high school you were very SHAME.

I  come from a place where the smartest kids were the most popular.

I come from a place where popularity meant being pretty and on the cheerleading team.

Hanabata hush                                                            aluminum mangoes

Mango munchies                                                            green  dolls

Sour spankings                                                            chocolate caves

Sour shrills                                                                        French vanilla  futon