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

I’ve belonged, even when it felt like I wouldn’t. My dad almost took me home instead of saying goodbye the first time I went to sleep-away camp. I knew I didn’t fit in. There was absolutely, positively no way I could do this. I was too shy, too imperfect, too everything that everybody else was […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Kenya G. Johnson - Your ending made me smile! Five was awfully young for a bus especially when you look back at pictures. Christopher’s anticipation to ride the bus was the ONLY reason he rode the bus. We took him on the first day of Kindergarten and other than that, I’ve only taken him if he missed the bus or thundering and lightning. Anyway those first couple of years I did have a mom or two to talk to. I can’t imagine what it would have felt like to feel excluded or awkward about belonging. Wish I could have fake rung your phone.March 10, 2017 – 10:01 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I wish you could have rung my fake phone too! But, I’m glad that you had a mom or two to talk to. I do have them now, which makes a huge difference. I had lunch today (first time) with the first mom who was nice at the bus stop. Her 13yo son watches Tucker once in a while for short periods after school, which Tucker LOVES of course. Five IS young for the bus. I can’t believe now that I started having Tucker ride one when he was four! Gulp. It’s really true, that saying about the days are long but the years are short. He’s going to be eight this summer. EIGHT!March 10, 2017 – 8:58 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - I love that expression – “shinier girls.” It’s true how we always feel like we don’t belong with the “shinier” crowd and sometimes we don’t, but sometimes we do, because maybe they are not so shiny after all or maybe our stories do overlap more than we realize….March 10, 2017 – 1:35 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I do think our stories overlap so much more than we realize. I had lunch today with somebody who I hadn’t had that extended time with before and it’s amazing how much all of our lives have little similarities that we’d never have thought. Still though the shinier crowd… I don’t think I’ve ever been shiny (but I’m okay with that).March 10, 2017 – 9:02 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - I wrote like you do this week – after dinner last night, all at once. It’s good to mix it up like that!

    Your blog has made so many mamas feel like they belong, and that’s something to be proud of, Kristi. Also knowing the answer to where a bird’s butthole is. Once J asked me how many times a day we fart, and I googled it for him. He then tested it the next day. (Spoiler – the average person farts alot).

    And there you have the most random, rambling comment ever.March 10, 2017 – 1:47 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Well I LOVED your post so it obviously really worked for you! I end up getting bored of myself if I try to write in installments. LOL to Googling how many times a day people fart. Now that has me thinking! Kids are awesome, if only for reminding us about what’s really funny. Farts and bird buttholes? Yup.March 10, 2017 – 9:04 pmReplyCancel

  • Paul Brads - I didn’t belong; worse yet, I didn’t realize I didn’t belong.March 10, 2017 – 5:06 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Huh, maybe it’s better to realize one doesn’t belong than realizing it? I don’t know. Still, either way… sigh.March 10, 2017 – 9:04 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - I am not sure I will write this week. I had every intention of doing so on Friday already, had a blank document open and started writing, but I had no ideas on what to say. I am not a mom. I am not a this or a that. I don’t often know if there is any group I belong in. This prompt is hard for me because I don’t know where exactly it is I belong. I will think and see if I can come up with something to say on this subject before the collection closes.

    🙂

    I can only imagine being a mom but not feeling you belong or that your child belongs. It is nice to have people to relate with and to spend time.

    Then it’s nice to see what each mom or child brings to a group. Everyone has something unique to contribute. Glad you have found ways to fit in and ways to find happiness wherever you are Kristi.March 12, 2017 – 5:25 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Hey Kerry,
      When I think of you, I think you belong in music, and feelings, and writing, and sharing yourself. I think of you traveling and all of the unknowns and the wonder that you found in Mexico. I think of the blogging community, and how we get to know one another through our writings. That feels like belonging to me. But I get what you mean about not being a mom or “this or that.” Thanks, Kerry!March 13, 2017 – 9:32 pmReplyCancel

      • Kerry - Oh, thank you, Kristi, for that. You said it better than I felt I could. I am thankful I’ve found a bit of a blogging community of people where I seem to belong. It has become important to me in my week. Also, I thought about writing my post featuring my week in Mexico. I really did feel a remarkable sense of belonging when I was there. It could have made for another pretty interesting piece of writing, but I am still now grappling with some of the feelings I’ve had about that time coming to an end, like I totally expected it to, but now wondering where to go from that. That’s why I didn’t write. Doesn’t mean I won’t write again. Thanks again for the comment.March 17, 2017 – 11:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Nicki - Honest, beautiful truth throughout, as always. And the one line that goes straight to my heart: “Nobody belonging is pretty much the same as each of us fitting in…” <3March 12, 2017 – 9:15 pmReplyCancel

  • Allison Smith - It still makes me sad/mad when I read the bus stop story. But i agree with you assessment that we all often don’t feel like we belong. It’s terrible, isn’t it?March 15, 2017 – 6:31 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It is terrible! What’s wrong with us that we feel that way so often?? Ugh. xoMarch 17, 2017 – 9:09 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - Jeez, that’s beautiful. Your words and your love for T. always are. The bird butt thing made me laugh because first, funny. And also because yeah – I love those questions. I love how their huge little minds work. I love that they want to know.
    I think belonging is something we’re conditioned to believe we need – and I think we do need it. But true belonging comes from knowing who we are and that where we are and who we are right this second is exactly where we belong.
    For the record? I rarely do my writing ahead of time. Total pantser and total last-minuter. I suppose people can now say “well it shows, obviously” but you know what? Who cares? That’s my process and I’m sticking to it.
    xoMarch 16, 2017 – 4:03 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thank you Lisa! I love bird butt questions too. So much. Their minds are amazing. And I think you’re right that belonging comes from knowing who we are… I look back to younger me and think DOH! I was so dumb. But, it’s all a part of it, too, you know?
      I’m glad to read that you write at the last minute too. I like that. We have to meet up in person already right? This summer?March 17, 2017 – 9:10 pmReplyCancel

Sometimes, We Travel in Time While walking to the bus stop this afternoon, a woman stepped onto her porch, shook out a rug, left it on the rail, turned, and went inside. Such a simple task. Common. It took her less than a minute. I thought about how people’ve been stepping out from in to shake […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Linda Atwell - You do this writing thing so flawlessly, so effortlessly. Or at least it feels that way when we read your finished product. This was beautiful and sweet. I love reading your work. And I take my rugs outside and shake them out too. But I need to do it more often. I think I will do it first thing tomorrow morning. They need it. Bad.

    Happy Friday to you!March 3, 2017 – 12:44 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Linda – what a sweet and lovely comment. Thank you! I haven’t touched my fiction book in months and am a bit stuck with what the point of it is supposed to be… so that isn’t coming effortlessly or flawlessly in the least. Did you end up shaking out your rugs this morning? Happy Friday!March 3, 2017 – 6:09 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - I love how your thoughts travel on the page too — and yes I’m ready for the beach too!March 3, 2017 – 1:08 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you Emily! Here’s to getting to the beach sooner than later for all of us!March 3, 2017 – 6:10 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Firstly thank you for checking on me. That was the extra push I needed to get me linked up today!

    Isn’t amazing that taking our rugs out to shake is something that connects up all. I love how your walk to the bus stop took you there. Love the nostalgia and time travel in the post. I said “Awww” to last photo because I remember it (Tucker’s bandaid incident). He looks so little!March 3, 2017 – 3:19 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - You’re welcome for the check-in always and I’m glad that you ended up writing and linking up even if it made me cry! And want more babies! The rug thing – there are so many of these small acts that are universal, you know? And EEEP I know! Tucker looks SO little. He still has a scar from the bandaid incident!March 3, 2017 – 6:12 pmReplyCancel

  • Marcia kester Doyle - You have had some wonderful trips and made some incredible memories. Now I REALLY want to travel!!March 4, 2017 – 12:24 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - You should, Marcia! I really think it gives us perspective that we might not get otherwise. xoMarch 7, 2017 – 7:04 pmReplyCancel

  • Allison Smith - Kristi, I love this:

    “I waved in the rear view to my younger self who knew everything and nothing. I looked ahead to my future self and told her to be nicer to herself.”

    I love to travel, why didn’t I write anything? Oh, my life is a mess. Not enough time for anything these days, sadly. Miss you – hope all is well.March 4, 2017 – 4:02 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I miss you too, mama! And thank you. I’d be happy to link up one of your travel posts if you want me to!March 7, 2017 – 7:04 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - I feel like the best gift I’ve given my kids is the gift of traveling to new places. Each trip is filled with new experiences and creates memories that we share as a family. Your post is proof of the power of travel – I’m sure you’ve just touched on the significance of each of those trips.

    I know I had already written and published a post for this, but now I’m thinking more generally of how travel has changed me. Hmm. Thanks for inspiring a future piece 🙂March 6, 2017 – 8:50 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Your family has had some amazing trips, Dana and I completely agree that the memories from travel are special and important. I was shocked once when Tucker mentioned a trip we’d taken years before… it was like his verbal skills needed to catch up in order for him to articulate remembering it. It was such a cool moment – and a big wake-up call for me as I didn’t realize how much our trips were etched in his mind. Pretty cool. And I look forward to your future piece on travel. 🙂March 7, 2017 – 7:06 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - I did karaoke in Ireland. I have never gone skinny dipping.

    Haha. Love some of the memories you write about, the trips you’ve taken, Kristi. I dream of seeing Hawaii next, but first, more of Canada.

    I love the rug thing and how travel really does provide perspectives, even for young children, that none of us ever really forgets. It’s hard to convince people that we are all more alike than different, as there are so many countries, languages, and cultures that exist. Well worth experiencing up close though.

    I also love book travel, nearly as much as travel travel.

    🙂

    And though I can’t drive, I like to use the road and rearview mirror as metaphors for life.

    Great prompt.

    Also, I remember reading about that day trip you went on, when Lizzi was visiting, and I remember how much fun you seemed to have had.

    Remember, that invitation is still open for Niagara Falls, but I think we are doing it in May already. Perhaps a little last minute with my notice now.March 8, 2017 – 6:02 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - You did karaoke in Ireland!?!!? That’s so cool! And yeah, the rug thing… it’s really true that the simplest of things are such great reminders of how we all human similarly I think. I like the road and rearview mirrors as metaphors for life, too (obviously). 🙂 You’re going to Niagra Falls in May? WOW that’s going to be amazing. I wish I could say I’ll try but Tucker’s still in school then and I think (?) we’re going to Florida again in October so… xoMarch 10, 2017 – 9:00 pmReplyCancel

Ever find yourself at a loss on how to fill up a few hours with a kid? If you’re a parent, the answer is “OF COURSE I DO.” Some days, the clock laughs because it’s only 1:00pm and we’ve been to the playground, we’ve eaten lunch, we’ve played with Legos, and OMG now what?! Over […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Emily - Fantastic! I’m very impressed…I don’t think I could figure out how to do this in one afternoon…probably would take me a month! Great job and love the theme!!February 28, 2017 – 9:56 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thank you Emily! It was really fun. They had some tutorials on their site that helped and honestly, it’s pretty easy (the hardest part was finding a way to keep my phone in one spot so the angle stayed the same on the scene. We also bumped the swing set a bunch of times so had to re-position it. But pretty easy – just time consuming (Tucker got bored a few times).February 28, 2017 – 7:47 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - I love this! And you guys! What a cool thing to do. You know I am not very tech savvy or crafty or patient so I wouldn’t even know where to start. But I know Zilla would love this so I’m putting it in the “cool stuff we can do” list.February 28, 2017 – 10:39 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Lisa, it’s actually pretty easy, just super-time consuming. We went to Michael’s and then had to scour the basement for some other supplies. Also, like I wrote, we moved the table over to the wall to hang up the backdrop. Keep the phone in the same spot was the hardest but I rigged up a little holder for the table and then for the peace sign, I used a file folder thing (metal) and put the lens between the metal. We messed it up a few times but it was fun. 🙂February 28, 2017 – 8:25 pmReplyCancel

  • Echo - Cutest thing EVER! I love Tucker’s voice and I love the message the little video sends! Good job, you two!!!February 28, 2017 – 10:48 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Echo!! Wish I had some whiskey in a jar to celebrate but I’ll go with Look to the Sky (and see a stickbot alien with a message LOL).February 28, 2017 – 8:31 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Atwell - That was soooo cute! You did an incredible job!February 28, 2017 – 1:11 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw shucks, Linda! Thank you! We had fun. Made a mess. All good for a rainy weekend afternoon, I think!February 28, 2017 – 8:35 pmReplyCancel

  • Lydia - Awesome!!!!February 28, 2017 – 2:57 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - Best short film I’ve ever seen! What a fun project to do with Tucker – a great message and a yummy snack. Well done, you two!February 28, 2017 – 5:03 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks Dana! I’m sure when we do another one that we’ll realized all that we did wrong with this one – we had almost 600 photos and it’s less than 250 now but it was fun!!!February 28, 2017 – 8:40 pmReplyCancel

  • Jason Milller - I really like this a lot! I’m thinking I could use it in therapy for some of my older kids. Multi-steps, directions, so much! Great idea!March 1, 2017 – 8:22 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Oh the kids would love it! My son is 7-1/2 and admittedly got bored a few times but he loved helping me set the scenes, figure out the story, and making me laugh with his silly ideas. We really did have a blast. Let me know if you decide to try it!March 2, 2017 – 7:52 pmReplyCancel

The walls we build are subtle, at first. I remember being six. My hair was wispy. Long. I liked it that way. I could make it into a face-curtain when the one hanging in the living room was too far away to escape to without being seen. That was the year my cousin got a pixie […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Deenie - This was really beautiful and very well written. #LoveFebruary 24, 2017 – 8:48 amReplyCancel

  • My Inner Chick - Walls.
    Boundaries.
    Chains.
    Restraints.
    These word CHOKE me up, make me want to cry.
    …but we still build them.
    Why?
    Btw, Kristi, you are beautiful, so very beautiful. xxFebruary 25, 2017 – 11:25 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - AW Kimmie! They kill me. CHOKE me. And yeah, people build them. We build them. WHY? To keep evil out but as you and I know there is no wall that keeps evil out. Evil finds a way. Walls keep good out.
      Also? It is YOU that is the beautiful one. xoxoFebruary 26, 2017 – 12:03 amReplyCancel

  • Kerry - So beautiful Kristi. Love it.

    I have built walls around my heart too, after losing friendship and love over the years. I hope, if they are made of ice as well, that the right set of circumstances will be able to warm and melt them.

    I agree that this topic is so multi faceted, as a fence to make a back yard a little private isn’t so bad, but getting to know our neighbours is still the best way to go. We can do both. It’s the walls to keep out the other that disturb me greatly. I just can not fathom.

    Thanks for asking me to do this. I hope I did okay, as all the link insertion stuff is a little difficult for me, as it is fairly visual and I only know to copy and paste. Thanks again. Xo.February 25, 2017 – 1:01 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Kerry, first, you did the link-up perfectly perfect. I am so sorry I didn’t look to see whether there’s a more voice-friendly version… they talk about WP.org, WP.com, but well, I’ll look, and thank you for the reminder.
      I’m so glad for your idea this week (even if I took it from a FB post – it was THAT dang good!!!)
      I agree about getting to know the neighbors, and for all of it. I can’t stand that we’re maybe going to build a wall? REALLY? WHY??? What will it do but NOTHING. It will do nothing but spend money that we need for other things. Like I dunno, giving kids with special needs equal school?? THAT.February 26, 2017 – 12:56 amReplyCancel

  • Emily - First, the pixie cut — me too! And, I hated it too! What was my mom thinking?! I do believe that that bad haircut has now made me care about how my hair looks way more than I probably would have otherwise. And, just for the record, you were an adorable kid. 🙂 And, the walls…I agree that the walls can keep out the good, but I also keep thinking and want to believe that walls (at least our personal walls) make us more resilient for the next time — whether it is someone calling us a name, giving us a bad haircut, or whatever. I don’t think a border wall will do that however…although maybe it will make the people on the other side of it more resilient? I still can’t believe or don’t want to believe that one will be built. I honestly thought it was a joke the first time it was mentioned.February 26, 2017 – 5:38 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - OMG you got the pixie cut too? SO GROSS when it’s not something you want, right?
      I hope you’re right about the walls and them making us more resilient, that makes sense. But holy crap to the ones that 45 wants to build… I thought it was a joke, too!February 26, 2017 – 11:12 pmReplyCancel

  • Linda Atwell - You are so right about building walls that even though we build them we keep out the wrong stuff. The wall I built around my heart when Lindsey ran away with that older man, well, the wall didn’t solve anything. I still hurt.

    BTW, my sister had a pixie cut and it looked so cute on her! I don’t believe I was ever tortured with one. At least there are no pictures to prove that I was. 🙂

    You know my stance on a wall between us and Mexico. I’m totally against it. I don’t believe it will work. I don’t believe any walls work (except, like you said, for a little privacy). You always make me smile.March 4, 2017 – 8:48 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - My neighbor has a pixie cut and it’s adorable on her! Like seriously cute and stylish. With my face? Not a good look… And yeah, I do know that you and I agree completely on walls. They don’t work. The heart-ones, or the dividing ones. xoxoMarch 7, 2017 – 6:49 pmReplyCancel

Invincible There was nothing like late-night Friday college debates, responsibilities left on desks not to be revisited until Sunday. We solved problems and found power and peace during our whisky and Marlboro-laced debates about politics, life, and war. We were 18-years-old. Invincible. We survived New Orleans graveyards, complete with 3:00am requests of “Vampires! Come onto […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Sara - You’re a right saucy wench and I am delighted that we are a team.

    If you promise to put aside worry, a little bit each day, then I will try very very hard to do the same. Love you.February 16, 2017 – 11:53 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Yo. Wench. You saucy wench. I’m delighted we’re a team too. And the freaking worry?!?!? Trying hard. LOVE YOU.February 17, 2017 – 11:46 pmReplyCancel

  • Allison Barrett carter - When I was a child, I slept with three stuffed animals: one touching me on each side and one laying on top of me, every night. I still have nights where I wish to do that. But we’ve got this. We lead, we fight peacefully (oxymoron) and we hug those precious kids we are raising. Because, yes, they are always ours. xo!February 17, 2017 – 4:40 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I STILL do the same with pillows. I have one on each side, one under my head, and one over my eyes and ears because nests are real and important. I like that our kids are always ours and the oxymoron (Microsoft Works! is my fav, as an Apple girl) of fighting peacefully because yes. Truth. xoFebruary 17, 2017 – 11:48 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Yes, I definitely worry more as a parent…it changes as my kids get older, but the worry is always there – I’m all for focusing on the peace too. I love how you ended this post – reaching out to your readers if they need help. Very touching and shows how you truly care about love and peace. 🙂February 18, 2017 – 5:14 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Aw thanks, Emily. I really do. Maybe, too much. I watched a segment tonight and can’t even help but cry at HOW and WHY and then I read some of the stuff that people believe, and they feel victimized I guess and think that 45 is an answer to that?? I don’t know… anyway. thank you. Here’s to focusing on peace and loving our kids and sleeping when we can through the worry, right?February 19, 2017 – 11:30 pmReplyCancel

  • Corinne Rodrigues - It’s seems hard to focus on peace and love in times like this, but that’s the only thing that will see us through, won’t it? Love ya, Kristi.February 19, 2017 – 5:31 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It does seem so hard, Corinne. But we’re still here, parenting, lifing, living, and loving which yes, will see us through. Hopefully. Definitely? Definitely. Love you too, woman.February 19, 2017 – 11:31 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @ The Meaning of Me - You’re so right that we really don’t accomplish much by focusing on the crap and the chaos – and (not so) oddly, I wrote about that in my post, too. Because it’s true. We can’t help ourselves but worry – it’s in the DNA, in the job description. I swore I would never be a worry mom and you know what? FAIL. 😀 The trick is not finding ways not to worry; it’s finding ways to grab those moments of peace among all the rest of the stuff and hopefully teaching our kids how to do it too.February 20, 2017 – 5:21 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I like the idea of not trying to worry because like you said, FAIL. I’m with you on grabbing the moments of peace, instead. <3February 21, 2017 – 4:45 pmReplyCancel

  • Allie G smith - No peace will ever be found on the six o’clock news😭. I find that I do better when I avoid it. We’re in IEP season now, and you have given me a mantra, as we March towards high school, “I am the boss!”February 21, 2017 – 5:36 amReplyCancel

  • Dana - I’ve never been one to really find peace in nature, but I’m trying to find it when I go for walks, and I tell myself this world will survive, because it is magnificent. Allowing myself those little moments of peace help me face all that is not peace in our country and our world.February 23, 2017 – 5:37 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - That makes sense, Dana. Here’s to finding the little moments because yikes, do we need them right now. February 23, 2017 – 7:53 pmReplyCancel

  • Eloise - I was really confused, and this answered all my qustsione.March 8, 2017 – 5:34 pmReplyCancel

Is it possible to let go of being sad or upset about a big something, a little something, one of those I’m-sure-I-got-screwed-in-there-somehow something? Asking for a friend, and for all of humanity, and yes, I’m asking for myself, too. I’m sad and tired and upset, maybe more than ever. No, that’s not really true. I’ve been more […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Ryan Peter Perez - Of course being upset is what changes the world, I couldn’t agree more. Isn’t the saying…”our biggest motivation is our despiration?” When I see families walking in support of awareness, or speaking up for their children when they cant do it for themselves or when a mom looks for alternative forms of medicine because they realize that a well behaved child isnt the product of a pill. It all falls back on the fact that “Being upset is What Changes the World.” Its our duty to advocate and fight! Stay strong.February 10, 2017 – 10:11 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I don’t think I’ve heard the saying ”our biggest motivation is our desperation,” but I like it and suspect that it’s very very accurate. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment.February 11, 2017 – 8:29 pmReplyCancel

  • Out One Ear - Linda Atwell - #resist
    She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.
    This is my new motto.
    I love your title: Truly, maybe being upset does change the world. I sure hope so.
    We are strong together, Kristi! We are strong together.
    Hugs.February 10, 2017 – 10:43 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It’s a good motto, Linda. For sure. Here’s to being strong together. And huge hugs right back.February 11, 2017 – 8:30 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerry - Facebook is one of those things. I took a mostly 45 break for my birthday today, meaning I did not read any stories starring the US pres today, but I did receive a lot of lovely HB messages on Facebook from friends. The first would have made me upset, but I got so much from friends. I see how being upset can help, but it can hurt too. To what degree do we take being upset and allow it to spur us on to action? You even deserve a late start with this place, as you are so dedicated to it come Thursday nights, but a lot of things right now are getting you upset and I’ve seen that. It’s okay. We all get it and I hope I can translate my feelings of upset into something like you’ve done here. I’m going to try. Thanks Kristi. We can feel upset together and all make a difference, somehow. You’ll see.February 10, 2017 – 11:24 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I think you’re right Kerry. I do think that not feeling alone when we’re upset helps a lot. It also helps to spur action and new ideas on what we can do when it feels helpless and hopeless.
      I’m happy to read that you took a 45 break (don’t know that term) that allowed you to get all wonderful happy birthday messages from Facebook but ignore any crappy news feeds about the cray cray DT tweeting about gigantic conflicts of interest, like why it’s not okay for a business to stop carrying a clothing line that nobody wants! (oops – rant barely averted).
      Happy birthday again, friend!February 11, 2017 – 8:32 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa @TheGoldenSpoons - I do believe it is upset people who make changes. Whether we agree or disagree with the outcome – it was people upset with the previous administration that voted for this one. Regardless of “sides,” it really does make me sad that these political times are so divisive and upset-inducing. And, oh Facebook – I almost can’t even go there these days.February 11, 2017 – 11:32 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It makes me sad, too, Lisa. FB is crazy. But it’s also helpful when stuff happens (at least for me) that makes me be like WAIT WHAT???? It’s like a mini-validation that I’m not crazy. Still though. UGH.February 11, 2017 – 8:42 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - I read this this morning, but I don’t trust commenting from my phone.

    I just LOVE your last line. That is the truth isn’t it? I tend to withdraw and that accomplishes nothing but making me feel sad and secluded. At the same time I need the secluded breaks from all the noise.

    Yes to hearing a baby’s heartbeat! And oh yes to seeing the heartbeat flicker when you thought you’ve had a miscarriage and the fetus is too little for the heartbeat to be heard.February 11, 2017 – 5:03 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Hey Kenya, yeah, I think it’s easier to withdraw. Honestly, I haven’t paid attention the way I pay attention now like, ever, which makes it tempting to withdraw. But then I sit here and get all mad and Robert comes home and I cry about it and getting on FB sometimes and seeing other people are also not okay with certain things makes it somehow better.
      AND OH WOW. I can just imagine the elation of seeing the flicker of a heartbeat when you weren’t sure it’d be there!! MAGIC.February 11, 2017 – 8:45 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - Perfectly said…you mentioned Facebook and seeing the upset all over Facebook and it’s so true. In some ways, it makes it harder for me because my entire feed seems to be filled with angry and upset people and sometimes I just want to turn it all off, but on the other hand, it shows that people care — and that is more important and continues to give me hope that the world will continue to change, but that there are enough people out there who will make sure it changes for the good.February 12, 2017 – 11:19 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - I so hope you’re right about the upset people making changes. Some of what’s going on these days is simply unbelievable. GAH.February 15, 2017 – 5:36 pmReplyCancel

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