Yocum About Me


	I am From Grace
I am from a queen of harmony and a king of America’s favorite pastime.

I am from David Mas Masumoto’s flowering fruit blossoms and Cesar Chavez’s marches: the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. From foggy winters and scorching summers, the sweet fragrance of citrus blossoms boldly announcing spring’s presence.

I am from beerrock dough and Waldorf salads, rich with cream, and the matriarchs whose hands wove love and warmth into our nourishment.

I am from dreams of victory; from perseverance in the face of failure; hope in the midst of defeat. I am from a national softball championship.
I am from a love of learning, formal and informal. From Peach Blossom Spoken Word Festivals, middle school math teams, and university research seminars. I am from four colorful years at UCLA and ten years of read-alouds with my mother’s kindergarten students.
I am from bread dough slowly rising then HOT! out of the oven. From seeds, spreading roots then steadily rising upwards to blossom; a small farm under my sweetheart’s careful watch overlooking the Yuba River.

I am from a future in the Sierra Nevada foothills: snow painting the Cedars white and more scorching summers harvesting the earth’s bounty.
I am from the support of family, love of friends, perspectives of children.

	I am from Life’s Grace.