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

Standing On Top Of The World Is Power

Most weeks, I don’t do enough to feel empowered. I’m working, momming, putting away dishes or toys or whatever, and *poof,* it’s Sunday night, and I wonder where the week went. Last week though, empowerment came often. To celebrate my favorite human turning double digits, we drove to the top of the world. And I’ll tell you – standing on top of the world is power.

It was one of those unfolding experiences – where you think the best part of the trip just happened, but then, you find another view, stop to pose for photos, and again for buffalo crossing the road.

He’s doing the jig.

I didn’t count how many times we stopped for photos and froliking, convinced we’d never see anything better.

“It’ll never get better than The Grand Tetons,” I think.

Standing On Top Of The World Is Power

We round a corner, and better is breathtaking. The water is high and fast. “Don’t go near the edge,” I say. “I’ve been swimming since I was a baby,” he replies. “Not in this water,” I say, in awe of its power. Our hearts are full. We breathe, sure the best views have been had.

Until we park and walk to the edge of the world for this view. Better and better, with each step.

Empowerment is a cold barefoot test of the water when everything is right and good in this moment, in this place. Yes, there are still babies in cages, and an evil assclown living in the White House. Because they’re all happening – love, terror, bliss, and sorrow. Breathing here, in this place though, is power. 

Walking around a volcano is power, too. These magical places, on this earth, in this time. Seeing Old Faithful erupt.

Driving on a new road in an old place and seeing this before the park closes is power. It was just us, in big skies, on this earth. Here. For this moment.

Power is driving to a place where the buffalo still roam. Seeing thousands of them. Hiking, and being. It’s in a photo of a boy turning 10 posing with his grandma in front of a herd of buffalo, under big skies, folded in big dreams.

Power is celebrating 10 with a cake loaded with 11 sparklers – 10 for the years, and one for luck – with family, and friends.

It’s in a first-caught fish, after getting hailed on with marble-sized hail, knowing none of your friends’ summer stories will have that specific detail. It’s standing under a tree freezing, and then, just minutes later, letting the sun warm your wet clothes. It’s the face you make when you’re not sure whether you’re grossed out, proud, and feel both, under misty skies, on a boat, in the middle of a lake.

Standing On Top Of The World Is Power

There’s watching fireworks, and knowing we’re each stronger than we realize, and that our stories matter. I’m thankful for other people’s stories. For my own, and for my son’s.

There’s something about standing on top of the world that makes you feel huge and small at once. Connected to everything ever, in all times and places, but also completely yourself, standing on this one particular spot, in this one exact time. Empowerment is feeding chipmunks sunflower seeds from the palm of your hand. It’s views that you’re convinced are the best you’ve ever seen. 

You drive a little further, and see this. You’re actually standing on top of the world. Close enough, anyway.

Do you see the big horned sheep??

We’re home, and have 1,001 loads of laundry to do, photo albums to make, and are once again surprised to see the date on the calendar. There are still babies in cages, and an evil assclown in the White House, but also, we know that on the top of the world, there’s a herd of big horned sheep, hanging out at this glacier lake. We close our eyes and remember.

We feel the power from standing on top of the world.

“What was your favorite part?” he asks. And the moments stay with us. 

***
This has been a Finish the Sentence Friday post, with the prompt “I’m most empowered by…”

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EMPOWERED BY?? PLEASE SHARE. <3 

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  • Lizzj - Love love love the photos. What an amazing trip and incredible way to celebrate 10!! Hooray for all the power and knowing you’ve brought some of it home in your memories.July 12, 2019 – 5:50 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Fantods still? I had to LOL at Sarah’s comment. But yes, it was amazing and freeing and wonderful. We’ll definitely remember it.July 12, 2019 – 8:36 pmReplyCancel

  • Debi - These photos are spectacular! I’m absolutely inspired to visit these places now. It’s so cool that Tucker is willing to do these hikes with you. I love hiking and my husband enjoys it too, but our daughters are pretty whiny about it. It’s hot, there are bugs, how much longer, blah blah blah. In fact, the chance to hike like you did in these photos is one of the silver linings (maybe the only one!) of my kids growing up and going away to school in the next few years!

    Thank you for sharing all these amazing pictures. What an adventure!July 12, 2019 – 3:53 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Thanks, Debi. And make no mistake that there were MANY times (we hiked every day, I think) when Tucker was like “How much longer?” and sat down in the middle of the woods. One day though, my mom started running down, and my husband and Tucker were ahead and didn’t want her to beat them, so they ran the rest of the way down. He also had way too much screentime in the car, so there’s that. And if you decide to visit the places, let me know and I’ll tell you what’s worth it and what’s not so much (like we spent a night in Jackson and not so much worth it although a cool town).July 12, 2019 – 8:39 pmReplyCancel

  • Tamara - Well you know what empowers me.. after my 1,092 words on it!

    Oh my goodness – that cake!

    And those feelings you felt at one of my powerful places. I miss it! But no moose???July 13, 2019 – 10:48 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - NO MOOSE!! I looked so hard, too. Gah. But BIG HORNED SHEEP!!! In the wild even, so I figure it’s a win. It’s such an amazing powerful place. I want to go back.July 14, 2019 – 9:13 pmReplyCancel

  • Rebecca - Those incredible photos are breathtaking! I can only imagine what a natural high it must have even to be on top of the world. I love that you had this experience as a family! These memories will stay with T for a lifetime.July 14, 2019 – 7:46 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - Rebecca, it was so much more beautiful and awe-inspiring than the photos could capture (or that I could, with an iPhone camera). I’m really glad we went on the trip, too. It was amazing.July 14, 2019 – 9:14 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily H Cappo - Wow, that trip looked amazing! I think I told you we are going to Montana in August to explore Glacier National Park. We thought we could visit Yellowstone too, but alas, it’s too far from where we are staying. Anyway, glad you had a wonderful trip!July 15, 2019 – 11:27 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - OMG I’ve never been to Glacier National Park but from the people I know who have been there, it’s a favorite. For this trip, it was too far north, but have SO MUCH FUN. It’s amazing all over the place up there.July 16, 2019 – 9:50 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya - I know it had to be a nice escape from the ugly world down below to the beautiful one above where you could forget just a bit. Those photos are sooooooo BEAUTIMOUS. I love the one with Tucker and the fish.July 15, 2019 – 1:46 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi Campbell - It was SUCH a nice escape. I wish you all could come out and we could go there. Tucker and the fish is my favorite photo of all and you’re the first to mention it. xoxo ALSO MISS YOU being my host with this!!July 16, 2019 – 9:51 pmReplyCancel

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