I am from a 5-year-old boy in a small farmhouse in Illinois

from a family with uncontrollable potential, waiting for the job offer that can change a family’s life 

from years of schooling and no job offers,

to never give up, there are no quitters in this family.

I am from a 10-year-old boy in the suburbs where the neighbors' smile and wave,

as they walk the dog past the house

from friends that are willing to spend the day fixing your car after you crash it,

to be your better judgment, let you know when that's not such a good idea.

I am from a 12-year-old boy with a curious and adventures mind,

an overly protective mother that watched me like a guardian angel,

from a father that uses his own childhood mistakes as examples to make my life better

a father and mother that knows child make mistakes and it is how they learn.

I am from a 15-year-old boy with lots of dreams

a boy that knows nothing comes free,

from a boy that knows he will have to put in the hours to get the result he wants,

a boy that is overwhelmed by the future in front of him.

I am from a 17-year-old boy with college insight

from a boy with a bright future in front of him,

a boy that wants to use his set of skills to better this world

a boy that wants nothing less than to make his parents proud.