Where I’m From #11
By Meg Nocero
Inspired by George Ella Lyon
The Italian-American Dreamer – to be seen and appreciated for our culture’s contributions
The story of my family explored and written about after spending hours in a closet with precious
memories and photos
Cherishing the stories of those pioneers who came before me, celebrating our roots and adding
on to legacy.
I Am From Poem
I am from magical pixie dust and an imagination that knew no bounds.
From hours spent creating dresses and stories around my Barbies and trying my luck at the Game
of Life.
I am from the suburbs of Altamonte Springs walking distance away from a big park with tennis
courts where we spent hours playing and pretending we were Charlie’s Angels after school.
From a beautiful, 5 bedroom home, filled with loud conversations and lots of love.
I am from the sweet scent of roses and the magic of butterflies.
Blossoming and bursting with incredible colors. Flying free, proud of my many transformations.
I’m from an Italian-American family of passionate people and hard workers. Education and
service were values, but love and support kept us tied to each other
From two young lovers, Mary Jo and Michael, the second-generation Italian Americans who
grew up in New York City that were courageous as they set out to create their own story in
Florida away from their families. From an expectation of excellence and an ethos of perfection
passed down for each child to accomplish great things and make the family proud. From
Politicians, lawyers, judges, doctors, teachers, educators—requiring nothing less than a strong
work ethic, each doing their part to serve. From passionate, faith-filled and hard-working people
who set out to make a difference in this world for their children and their communities. From
people who set out to create something beautiful together.
I’m from the intelligent, thoughtful and generous members of my family who paved the way for
increased possibilities of success in the realization of my own dreams.
From everything will be ok when things went awry to don’t disappoint or bring shame to your
family holding still to our greatest potential.
I’m from a Catholic family who believed spirituality and love were the cornerstone of life- more
important than dogma- from people who did not follow and with a whole lot of curiosity and
critical thinking, question everything.
I’m from Florida, but come from Napoli/Sicily and other parts of Italy by way of New York,
where many want to wake up in city that does not sleep and dreams come to life.
From traditional Italian family meals on Sunday after church of spaghetti and marinara sauce –
salad bathed in oil and vinegar and celebrated birthdays with Carvel cake- at the dinner table – as
if around a campfire, we gathered together as master storytellers passing on lifetimes of
traditions and hope.
I come from movies- the pictures that can change the world- stepping into a theater and
immersing myself in a story come to life.
I am made from dreamers and am a realized dream to my parents – I am ready to continue
realizing my own dreams and I risk and take a leap of faith becoming a master storyteller sharing
inspiration with whomever wishes to hear.
Where to find Meg:
Website: https://www.megnocero.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megnocero
Where to find Alyson:
Website: https://www.alysonshelton.com
Substack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/
