2 - Tyler B. - I am from

 

I am From a family of baseball fans, teachers and mechanics, and procastinators.

I grew up with the idea that men don´t cry and I should act like a man while also being told that I could be whatever I want to be.

I am from having Pietro´s whenever my uncle comes to town.

I am from pop songs and country music, pretending that airplanes in the night sky were like shooting stars, letting it go, and lighting it up like it´s dynamite.

I am from musicians playing all kinds of instruments, learning clarinet with Mr. Woods, and switching to alto saxophone because my crush said I should and never regretting it.

I am part of a flag of pastel blue, pink and white and support the representation of all people, because I did not get the support I could have from people I trusted.

I am from a chosen family that I trust more than any other group, telling them things I have not even told my birth family.

I am from the unions of Blackstone and Breedlove, then Blackstone and Wall.

I am from playing Left, Right, and Center for $5 gift cards on Christmas Eve at my grandparents house, opening our stockings in excitement that night.

I am from playing left field and right midfielder, and coaches yelling things to do and giving me hand signs telling me to stay inside the batters box.

Spending Saturdays at the baseball park, being told ¨there´s no crying in baseball!¨, spending way too much money at the snack bar, and having team parties at Round Tables Pizza 

I am from hospitals, the ER, artifical insulin and therapy that is only ever a temporary solution.

Being told to cut my hair, that I need to lose weight, that I should wear looser clothes, and that I am just confused.

Playing all kinds of video games, from Lego Star Wars to Fallout, and from Stardew Valley to Slime Rancher.

I am a listener of rock music of any kind, whither it is Boy Hero or Dance Gavin Dance, Fame on Fire or First to Eleven.

I am from spending Sundays at church with my grandparents, getting breakfast and donuts after.

Going camping in the Spring with my family, trying and failing to catch a fish, learning to ride my bike, and getting smacked in the face by a fish my dad caught.

I am from comets, panthers, and wildcats, and I take pride in all of them.

I am from baseball, soccer, cross country and swim, most of which I had enjoyed.

I am from Boy Scouts, and 3 generations of Eagle Scouts.

I am from the kindness of friends.

I am from the hard work of my family.

I am from the support those close to me.

I am from a community that is resilient and proud.

I am a voice that wants to say so many things, but won´t.

I hope one day, I can find the courage to say those things.

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