Where are you from?

Hi, I’m Siv and I’m from Southern California.

in Santa Barbara at the beginning of our sabbatical summer road trip

I was born in Santa Monica, grew up in San Diego, went to college in Santa Barbara, and returned to San Diego again as an adult.

My kids were born in SoCal, but as we celebrate 15 years of living in the San Francisco Bay Area this month, I recognize that my kids are from NorCal. This is the place they call home.

Where you’re from shapes your life.

From is a transition word. We can be from a place even if we’re not there now. We can be from an organization as a participant, member, representative. We can also move from one season – of the year or of life – to another. From summer to fall. From vacation to work and school. From happiness to grief, from mourning to dancing.

As someone from SoCal, the beachy vibe soaked into my DNA. When life feels too much, I need to get to the ocean. I breathe differently at the coast, like I’ve been holding my breath everywhere else. I know this about myself because I know where I’m from and how it has shaped me.

I’m also from a family, and my mom’s side of the family is from Norway. There’s a rugged strength to the Norwegians that I respect in my mom and grandmother and sometimes I hear echoes of it in me.

I’m also from God’s family which shapes my beliefs about who I am and what I’m here on earth to do. In particular, I believe God has given me a gift and a calling to use my words to encourage you to have hope, seek beauty, and live joyfully.

Where are you from, and how has it shaped your life?

Five Minute Friday prompt: FROM

Published by Siv Ricketts

Hi, I'm Siv (pronounced "See-v") Ricketts, & I'm so glad you're here. In this space & on Instagram, I write to encourage you to have hope, seek beauty, and live joyfully. I have BA’s in English and Communication from Westmont College and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary. I have focused my career working in and writing for the Church as a youth director, a communication director, and a freelance writer/editor. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband, two sons, and a menagerie of pets. You can also find me on Instagram (@sivricketts).

5 thoughts on “Where are you from?”

  1. I’m originally from Nigeria but I’ve lived in the UK since my teens, so now I’d also say from the UK. But to borrow your words, “I’m also from God’s family which shapes my beliefs about who I am and what I’m here on earth to do” 🙂 Thank you for your post. Visiting from FMF #20

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  2. I am from Florida. I lived in West Virginia for a couple of years, before spending a decade in New Mexico. When my kids and I needed a fresh start, we moved home to Florida to be close to family. The beaches are definitely in my kids blood too. They love living an hour from the beach. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

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