I am from a slow drawl, fields of cotton and tobacco where my grandaddy forged a living, a family. I am from a frying pan as big as the night sky, They call it the world's largest. I am from tea so sweet that the sugar makes you sticky from head to toe, I am from sneaking in the cow pasture to turn a hay bale into a makeshift castle, and knowing I'll need at least three baths. I am from stew beef and rice, cucumbers in vinegar and Oppie's strawberry cake. I am from sunburnt summers when all you can do is pray the aloe vera doesn't make your skin fall off. I am from an icee popsicle by the pool, a surfboard gliding through the waves, summers where I almost became a fish despite all the swimmer's ear. I am from air so humid you could cut it with a knife, bulldog country and Friday night football games. I am from the smell of an Appaloosa, saddling up for the 5 A.M. ride, gliding from riding boots to jumping into show boots. I am from a soccer goal, a basketball hoop, a track, a tennis racket and a old worn out glove. I am from 2 stop lights and a ride through town that is less than a minute. I am from a Derry, a Karen, an Evan and a Lou, a Louis and a Gerry, a Riley and a Opal. I am from riding with the windows down all year long skipping school to go fishing with Daddy and running from the big bow that Mama was trying to put in my hair. I am from ‘Hey little shug, what doing?’ ‘Do I need to take you to the bathroom?’ and ‘Goodness, you look like your Mama!’ I am from a long gravel driveway a sweet Duplin wine and a Poultry Jubilee. I am from a disease that consumed me for 7 years, that taught me what fear felt like, always expecting the worst, never knowing the best. I am from healing from a God who is above all things, a God that says, "Be healed!" I am from a joy, a love that is unrelenting from a God who calls me to be bold as a lion. I am from an open heart, with dreams so vast. I am from exit 380, a place that holds my heart.
My name is Riley Lauren Giddings and I am from a small town outside of Wilmington. I was named after my grandpa, Riley. I come from a very close knit family and a small town community. I have a strong work ethic that comes from my daddy and a sweet spirit that undoubtedly came from my mama. My brother, Evan, is close to my heart. He is in the Army, married and has two kids. My nephew, Evan, is 4 years old and my niece Kate is 17 months old. My sister, Lou, is my best friend and confidante. I find strength from her sweet spirit. I have purpose. I can’t help but be optimistic because I have so much joy. I have been captivated by a love so big that only God can give me. I can't remain the same because you are never the same when you encounter the love of God. I have been healed by the miracles of His hands. Ask me about it. I can't hold it in. I want so much more of Him. I have tasted His Glory and been pursued. So, joy flows from my spirit. I can’t wait to be a teacher. I find joy in learning and teaching. The one thing I am looking forward to the most is teaching children how to read. I am currently a senior at Appalachian State University and a little behind in the College of Education. However, I plan on remaining in Boone to teach in Watauga County for a time. My future plans are a jumble of hopes and dreams such as, moving to Brazil to teach, getting my Master’s in Education, and being involved in a full time ministry position.
I Am
I am from a slow drawl,
fields of cotton and tobacco
where my grandaddy forged a living, a family.
I am from a frying pan as big as the night sky,
They call it the world's largest.
I am from tea so sweet that the sugar makes you sticky from head to toe,
I am from sneaking in the cow pasture to turn a hay bale into a makeshift castle,
and knowing I'll need at least three baths.
I am from stew beef and rice,
cucumbers in vinegar and Oppie's strawberry cake.
I am from sunburnt summers when all you can do is pray the aloe vera doesn't make your skin fall off.
I am from an icee popsicle by the pool,
a surfboard gliding through the waves,
summers where I almost became a fish despite all the swimmer's ear.
I am from air so humid you could cut it with a knife,
bulldog country
and Friday night football games.
I am from the smell of an Appaloosa,
saddling up for the 5 A.M. ride,
gliding from riding boots to jumping into show boots.
I am from a soccer goal, a basketball hoop, a track,
a tennis racket and a old worn out glove.
I am from 2 stop lights and a ride through town that is less than a minute.
I am from a Derry, a Karen, an Evan and a Lou,
a Louis and a Gerry,
a Riley and a Opal.
I am from riding with the windows down all year long
skipping school to go fishing with Daddy
and running from the big bow that Mama was trying to put in my hair.
I am from ‘Hey little shug, what doing?’
‘Do I need to take you to the bathroom?’
and ‘Goodness, you look like your Mama!’
I am from a long gravel driveway
a sweet Duplin wine
and a Poultry Jubilee.
I am from a disease that consumed me for 7 years,
that taught me what fear felt like,
always expecting the worst, never knowing the best.
I am from healing from a God who is above all things,
a God that says, "Be healed!"
I am from a joy,
a love that is unrelenting
from a God who calls me to be bold as a lion.
I am from an open heart,
with dreams so vast.
I am from exit 380,
a place that holds my heart.
My name is Riley Lauren Giddings and I am from a small town outside of Wilmington. I was named after my grandpa, Riley. I come from a very close knit family and a small town community. I have a strong work ethic that comes from my daddy and a sweet spirit that undoubtedly came from my mama. My brother, Evan, is close to my heart. He is in the Army, married and has two kids. My nephew, Evan, is 4 years old and my niece Kate is 17 months old. My sister, Lou, is my best friend and confidante. I find strength from her sweet spirit. I have purpose. I can’t help but be optimistic because I have so much joy. I have been captivated by a love so big that only God can give me. I can't remain the same because you are never the same when you encounter the love of God. I have been healed by the miracles of His hands. Ask me about it. I can't hold it in. I want so much more of Him. I have tasted His Glory and been pursued. So, joy flows from my spirit. I can’t wait to be a teacher. I find joy in learning and teaching. The one thing I am looking forward to the most is teaching children how to read. I am currently a senior at Appalachian State University and a little behind in the College of Education. However, I plan on remaining in Boone to teach in Watauga County for a time. My future plans are a jumble of hopes and dreams such as, moving to Brazil to teach, getting my Master’s in Education, and being involved in a full time ministry position.
Email: giddingsrl@appstate.edu
Phone #: (910)271-4958
URL for my Wix Website*
http://www.wix.com/rileygiddings/missgiddingsclass