Dinosaur. When some people hear the word “dinosaur”, they think of T-Rex’s or some other big scary dinosaur. When I hear the word “dinosaur”, I think of something completely different. I think of a big purple creature with a green belly. I think of a friendly beast that wouldn’t harm a fly. I think of my old childhood friend. I think of Barney.
Barney used to be my life. My first toy was a small purple Barney doll. I would never go anywhere without it. I was obsessed with that doll. Then I got introduced to his movies. Oh, what fun it was to spend every waking hour with Barney. I was never without my little purple dinosaur.
My parents told me that one day I accidentally broke his head. It was apparently the worst day of my life. I spent the whole day crying, and refusing to eat or do anything. I remember making him a little grave in our garden in California. They also told me that when they bought me another Barney doll, I was elated. I remember sewing him little clothes to wear, and trying to feed him some of my food so he wouldn’t starve. I still have that Barney doll.
I grew out of that phase, and many others after that, but it was an important part of my life. It was actually my first phase or fandom. Currently, I am engaged in a lot of fandoms, but I will always remember how Barney gave me a head start into this world.
Photo Credit: Joe Shlabotnik via Compfight
Whenever I come to this blog, I always enjoy reading something new and fresh. It was neat how you showed how obsessed you were with the doll. I used to love not only Blues Clues, but Barney as well. I would watch Blues Clues day and night, that is, if my parents would let me watch it after bedtime. You used vivid imagery, as I read I could see you crying while digging the grave and sewing little clothes for the doll. This post reminded me of how I loved watching my show just like you loved your doll. It was very well written, I really liked it!
Thanks! I used to love Blues Clues too!
I loved reading this post because the sentence structure and voice was absolutely excellent! The words flowed so smoothly and I read each paragraph with ease (which doesn’t really happen with me). I can also relate to the part where you said you made a grave for your Barney doll, which is what I used to do with some of my stuffed animals! I think you’re a great writer and this post was very well-written!
Thank you so much! Do you still own some of your stuffed animals?
I also had a Barney doll! I loved your lead and how unexplained how much you really loved the doll.
Thank you! Barney Dolls are the best!
Barney! Just seeing the picture brings back happy memories of my youngest (now nineteen years old) enjoying Barney and Friends on television.
And a Barney fandom?! I never thought about it that way, but yeah 🙂 Very clever connection!