Finding Ninee » Sharing our parenting and special needs stories with heart and humor.

We can fly

When I was a kid, I thought that if I stood perfectly still, breathed justright, and positioned myself justso, that I was invisible.

I’m think I may have passed the Magical Invisible Gene onto my son.

Child behind tree invisible      I may have passed The Invisible Gene onto my son

I believed that there was an evilish witch who lived under my bed. She could only move as much as I did, but, the direction of her moves was not conditional upon mine. So, for example, if I rolled left and then right, she would be allowed to roll right, twice.  She couldn’t get to me while she was still under the bed. Additionally, I got a free pass for moving superfast in an emergency, because she didn’t have the ability to think very quickly. Like all of the Evils, she was less quick-witted than I. Which meant that having to pee in the middle of the night looked like this:

Jumping Out of Bed To Pee with Witch underneath

Getting back into the bed was not as easy. I still won.

When I was a kid, I thought that my dolls and stuffed animals came to life once I slept, and that they might not be nice.  So, I beheaded my Barbies and other beheadables. And then, I hid their bodies from their heads to be safe (because if they couldn’t see their parts, they couldn’t get to them – makes sense, right?). It worked, in case you’re wondering. I’m here, fine, and living to behead the beheadables for my little boy, in case it’s ever an issue.

When I was a kid, I believed that dressing my baby brother as a girl made him one. He went along with the game, and let me introduce him as Michelle, wearing a dress, to our new neighbors. Until the day that I burned his head with my curling iron. Then, he was Mike, again. Sans dress. Sans sister.

I thought that the people in this photo would forever remain the center of my universe. If you’d told me that it was possible for me to not know their names, their pet’s names and their favorite colors today, I’d never have believed you.

Class

Bonus points if you find me.

I couldn’t imagine growing old.

Halter Top

 

I knew that moms could fix everything with a kiss. That grown-ups held the answers to Life, with the exception of Important Things and The Whys, because they’d obviously forgotten the best way to find a fairy among the leaves of a flower.

Looking for fairies in flowers

Unicorns were real, and I could fly.

Flying Toddler 70

 

Over the years, I’ve learned that children possess magic that somehow, sometimes, gets lost along the journey.

That it’s too easy to forget that life is full of magic, and wonder.

Flying.

Until it isn’t.

Because, really, if you look at life justright, for brief moments in time, we can fly.

We fly.

Boy fly in water Boy flying at beach

This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post. Today’s sentence is “When I was a kid, I thought…”
Your hosts:
Janine: Janine’s Confessions of a Mommyaholic
Kate: Can I get another bottle of whine?
Stephanie: Mommy, for Real
me: finding ninee


by Kristi Campbell

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  • Janine Huldie - Kristi, you described the magic of being a kid quite perfectly here and as I said in my post, I vaguely remember feeling this way, but know I did and still can’t believe how long ago this was for me. Loved the ending too with Tucker!! 🙂November 7, 2013 – 10:07 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Janine,
    Thank you. I was really rushing on this one and had such better things in mind but thanks for getting it!November 7, 2013 – 10:10 pmReplyCancel

  • Courtney - Kids are magic. I love your photos and I read every post, even if I don’t tell youNovember 7, 2013 – 10:15 pmReplyCancel

  • Chris Carter - Oh Kristi- I just soaked in every single word.

    Ahhh….

    Lovely. Just lovely.November 7, 2013 – 10:16 pmReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for Real. - That was beautiful. I sometimes miss that magical thinking I had as a child. It reminds me of that line Ally Sheedy says in the Breakfast Club about when you become a grown-up, your soul dies. OK, now I’m depressed. And I love that second picture you drew- super creepy-cool! Also- beheadables is the best word ever. Nice one.November 7, 2013 – 10:20 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - What a perfect combination of humor, silliness, and that awesome Kristi-ness I have come to love. The part about looking at life justright so we can fly – that’s the Kristi-ness. And now I’ll be singing “I Believe I Can Fly” for the rest of the evening.November 7, 2013 – 10:28 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Courtney,
    Kids are so magic. And I read all of your posts, too. Even when I don’t tell you, either. XO, friend. Peace and magic.
    —
    Chris,
    Ahhh right back at you, sistah.
    —-
    Steph,
    Magical thinking takes WORK, right?? Don’t be depressed. We get a second chance through our kids.
    And yeah, I like beheadables, too 😉
    —November 7, 2013 – 10:28 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Dana,
    I believe I can fly too! Well, almost. I should probably lose some weight.
    —November 7, 2013 – 10:28 pmReplyCancel

  • Kelly McKenzie - Love that ending – the fact that we recapture the magic!
    While I didn’t behead my Barbies very often I did once in a while. I remember that my Ken’s head refused to come off. In fact I don’t believe it ever did. My sister and I would play “Barbies” outside in the hot sun in the Summer and honestly they would melt. The noses would moosh to the side and the chins would droop. Instant aging! Had to park them in the freezer for a bit before we could play again.
    Love, love your pictures at the end!November 7, 2013 – 10:43 pmReplyCancel

  • Kathy Radigan - You summed up my childhood perfectly!!! I love how you describe the magical thinking that so many of us use to get through our childhoods with. Thanks for bringing me back!! xoNovember 7, 2013 – 10:44 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - HAHA Kelly! They melted!!??? Really? I used to chop my Barbies’ hair off to. It never grew back which was just sad.November 7, 2013 – 10:44 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi Campbell - Kathy,
    Thank YOU friend. I really needed more time on this and didn’t have it today so thanks for getting it anyway!!
    —November 7, 2013 – 10:55 pmReplyCancel

  • Jessica - I love this! So magical. Love the photos, too. That last one is so cool!November 7, 2013 – 11:10 pmReplyCancel

  • April - Have you ever seen the movie Dolls (I think)? You were so right to behead the dolls. They do have magical powers!November 7, 2013 – 11:12 pmReplyCancel

  • Heather - This was magical. My 8 year old thinks her dollhouse people can move at night, but in a nice way. Occasionally I rearrange them or move to weird places in the house – not ready for her to lose that kid magic yet.November 7, 2013 – 11:45 pmReplyCancel

  • Don - Awe, you rock!

    I had an embarrassing nonsexual relationship with a pillow when I was younger, but that’s not important.November 8, 2013 – 12:05 amReplyCancel

  • Joelle Wisler - Love. Love. Love this. Beautifully written and takes me back to my own stuffed animal crises. I never beheaded them but they for sure came to life at night.November 8, 2013 – 12:23 amReplyCancel

  • Natalie - The Cat Lady Sings - I love your rendering of childhood here. Your outlook sounds similar to mine…I remember looking for fairies among the flowers. 🙂November 8, 2013 – 12:43 amReplyCancel

  • Considerer - Does every kid have a witch or a monster under their bed then? The one which tries to attack when they get up to pee…?

    I love that there are still moments when you fly, though 🙂 That’s awesome 😀November 8, 2013 – 1:55 amReplyCancel

  • Lizzy - Muddle-Headed Mamma - I used to think my stuffed animals came to life when I slept too! Love the story about your brother – that’s hilarious. Does he still speak to you?? LOL. I know exactly what you mean about our classmates feeling like the centre of our universe. I had trouble remembering an old classmates last name the other day. I couldn’t believe it. I used to know everyone’s middle names, siblings names, birthdays and most of their telephone numbers by heart. What happened?? I’m going to guess that you’re the little blonde girl in the front row with the red/orange jumper? Love this post 🙂November 8, 2013 – 4:05 amReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Awww, this post made me smile. I was trying to click the class picture so I could see it better. I am going to go with the girl on the first row, red top, plaid pants?

    So true – even to this day – if my mom gives me a kiss on the forehead – all better.November 8, 2013 – 7:33 amReplyCancel

  • Tamara - Little kid Kristi is just a little too cute for words here.
    When I was a kid, I didn’t think I could fly but I thought I would, ya know? I thought it was inevitable. That I was chosen, special. Or it would be invented. Something. Then I got older and learned we can’t fly, in the way I thought we could.
    But we can fly. And Tom Petty’s “Learning To Fly” is one of my top ten songs of all time.November 8, 2013 – 7:44 amReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ Golden Spoons - I’ve always thought little kids were magic. I have spent my life surrounding myself with children because they don’t see the flaws – they just see the magic. I wish we cold hold onto that magic forever! Then, we could all fly together. 🙂November 8, 2013 – 9:29 amReplyCancel

  • Emily - I just love how you can remember many of the magical moments from your childhood…I wish I could remember like that. Maybe my dementia started when I was 3? Anyway, very sweet post. My youngest son talks about how he wishes he could fly..:)November 8, 2013 – 9:37 amReplyCancel

  • Emily - Oh and I forgot to say, that story about your brother and introducing him as Michelle — hilarious. You’re lucky if he’s still talking to you today.:)November 8, 2013 – 9:38 amReplyCancel

  • Lanaya | Raising Reagan - I loved reading all these posts today from everyone. It’s nostalgic to think back at what we used to believe, feel and think when we were kids.
    Especially that we had no cares in the world and that our parents were awesome giants who could fix things with kisses or shatter our worlds when we got punished.
    Now we get to be those people for our kids. Funny how that happens.

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    http://raising-reagan.comNovember 8, 2013 – 12:00 pmReplyCancel

  • Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe - I’m usually pretty unflappable, but you’re lucky I wasn’t your Mom! Had I found a box of heads and another of bodies, I would have had you at a shrink in a flash … or at least started keeping track of all the neighborhood pets to make sure you weren’t a serial killer in training. 😉November 8, 2013 – 1:23 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerri - Holy crap you were Sid from Toy Story? Seriously demented my friend and I will now have bad dreams when I think of Abby all alone in her room with the scary barbiesNovember 8, 2013 – 1:23 pmReplyCancel

  • Sarah - Is that you in the plaid pants on the front row? The picture is so small it’s hard to tell, but that little girl is blond. If it is you, FABULOUS pants.November 8, 2013 – 1:26 pmReplyCancel

  • Laura - I love your photos, especially the older one’s. I love looking at old pictures. Thanks for sharing!November 8, 2013 – 1:31 pmReplyCancel

  • Sarah | LeftBrainBuddha - You never cease to amaze me. I love that my children remind me how amazing things are. Lovely post.November 8, 2013 – 3:06 pmReplyCancel

  • Beth Teliho - damnit woman, your posts always make me all teary eyed. Very beautiful though, as always. True, and funny, and lovely. and because I’m so uncomfortable with touchy-feely, I’m compelled to yell FUCK! there. I feel better. I’m so immature.

    Also, are you in the front row, red shirt? I’m trying to guess based on hair.November 8, 2013 – 3:44 pmReplyCancel

  • clark - hey is the contest over??

    (wait a minute… I’m down to 2…. the one with the elephant on her chest in red and white in the front row or the clark at the right end of the back row)

    (damn can’t tell ages here would make a difference…)

    gonna have to go with the back row far right (in blue)

    where the hell is my prize?!?November 8, 2013 – 3:52 pmReplyCancel

  • Bianca @ Track Pants and a Tot - It’s so easy to forget how magical being a kid could be. When it’d be ok to just let your imaginations go wild, to dream without worrying or caring about what anyone else thought. It’s bittersweet when we write “friends forever” all over our middle school yearbooks, only to open up that same book decades later & not recognize anyone’s faces or remember their names. I just wish we could all go back to a simpler time & live as carefree as we once did.November 8, 2013 – 6:43 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa - You captured so many feelings of childhood and the photos and illustrations were perfection! The witch drawing with you running along the top of the bed is a classic. I mean that is how EVERY 7 year old pees at night…right?! Your feelings of flying were poignant and nostalgic because I think I mostly forget that feeling. And your post reminded me it’s still there. Thank you:).November 8, 2013 – 8:41 pmReplyCancel

  • Rachel - I love that you used so many different experiences to capture the magical world of a child. Here’s to Tucker’s own magical world! I hope the beheadables (great word) pass him by…November 8, 2013 – 9:16 pmReplyCancel

  • Rich Rumple - Sis, you’d be the last person I’d expect to have wings! lol Did you really hide under the bed? Damn, if I’d have known you I could’ve turned you on to magic covers! It had to be much more comfortable that that cold, hard floor. I really didn’t know much about unicorns, back then. Maybe I missed out on something! The picture was way too small to see which one was you. I’m guessing the front row with the red top. Nice the way you ended this. Good job!November 8, 2013 – 10:00 pmReplyCancel

  • Louise - Ah – I believed my dolls came to life, but they were nice. There were evil beings that came to life and danced on the floor or my room – and so I had to stay tucked into bed.

    I too use to dress my younger brother as a girl. Perhaps they should poll younger brothers to see how frequent this is…. 😉November 9, 2013 – 12:10 amReplyCancel

  • The Dose of Reality - We are kindred spirits!! I thought my dolls came to life when I wasn’t in the room and that they were evil when they did. I was terrified of being too still in my room in case they accidentally thought I was out of the room and they came to life and turned on me. HA! –LisaNovember 9, 2013 – 12:34 amReplyCancel

  • Jen - This is such a great post! I remember so many of those things myself. I got to the point where I had to have my dad hide my dolls in the rafters of the garage. And I still believe in Unicorns. If I wasn’t afraid of heights I’d want to fly, but maybe if I could fly I wouldn’t be afraid anymore…
    love you, love this tttx10 <3November 9, 2013 – 10:09 amReplyCancel

  • Katia - You perfectly capture childhood. I was reading this with a sense of longing. And that picture of Tucker running through the water is the essence of being a child. Beautiful!November 10, 2013 – 10:48 amReplyCancel

  • Shay - I love this Finish the Sentence, because although I didn’t participate (I need to try to get in on one of these one week), I did a post this week about something I thought was true when I was a kid…and into adulthood. Of course, it makes me look like a total dumbass, but it gave me a great laugh while writing it and thinking back, too.

    But back to you. I love this post! Like I was just telling Jen, I love a little nostalgia in my blog reading!November 10, 2013 – 11:52 amReplyCancel

  • TK - You just took me on a trip down memory lane! I was very imaginative as a child and would make up these stories in my head. Love the thought that as children, at least, we have some magic in our lives.November 11, 2013 – 12:13 amReplyCancel

  • Kate Hall - Aw, this beautiful…magical. I love it. I’m guessing you’re the one in the center wearing white and purple. Am I right? And your class was Huge! I feel like my third grade class was half that size.November 11, 2013 – 11:03 pmReplyCancel

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