Childhood Confessions

I didn't know the difference between Michael Jackson and Michael Jordan.

I was sure a pair of elves named Emily and Eric lived under the house across the street.

I had a special branch in the tree where I wrote science fiction and fantasy stories.

I wanted more than anything to be a kid on Zoom.

I had a crush on a kid in Kindergarten because he drew really good horses.

I would eat Werther's candy and save the wrappers for when I was watching "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" so I could join in on singing "I've Got a Golden Ticket"

I invented a game with my brothers called "Stinky Sock Man"

I had a recurring, terrifying nightmare where my grandmother turned into a rabbit.

I liked to ride my bike around the block while listening to The Hooters cassette on an old, pink Walkman.

I could weave almost anything out of some long grass.  I usually tried to sell my creations.

I was mad when they didn't discover me on the street and ask me to play Hermione.

I was afraid to admit to the kids at school that I liked U2 and Journey, not the Backstreet Boys and N'Sync.

I dumped water on a new watch because I didn't believe my mom when she told me not to get it wet.

My fifth birthday party was Esmeralda themed.

Grandpa

My grandfather, Clesse Hilton, was an amazing man.  He passed away last Thursday and I'll miss him but I'm glad he finally feels better.  He's a man of integrity and character and the perfect example of a perfect example.  Also, he's funny and hardworking and faithful and he looked like a movie star:

 

Father's Day was the last time I got to talk to my grandpa, and he told I was beautiful and gave me a kiss on the cheek.  It meant a lot to me then and it means even more now.

When the earth is covered with a blanket of pure white and much of nature is dormant, when the pace of human activity slows and a warm hearth and a good book make being inside very enjoyable, when the short days are too long and the long nights are too short, then I think Winter is the most beautiful season of the year.

When white turns to brown and brown turns to green, when seeds again promise new beauty, new food and continuity of life, when all of nature revives and shakes off the lethargy of winter, then I think Spring is the most beautiful time of year.

When windows stay open around the clock, when a cool breeze is longed for, when the road to everywhere beckons, when perspiration is socially acceptable, when rain refreshes and lightning illuminates and thunder booms, then I think Summer is the most enjoyable time of year.

When green turns brown and yellow and red and gold, when barns and bins and bottles are full and when seeds are saved, when the first fingers of frost touch mine, when six-year-olds excitedly run to school, eager to learn, when preparation ends and performance begins, when all is in readiness, then I think Fall is the most enjoyable time of the year.

Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall ---

 Written by Clesse Hilton circa 1989 (on the back of the Sept. 1988 page of the Kaysville 13^th ward calendar). 

I love you, Grandpa!

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?n=clesse-snow-hilton&pid=165465015#fbLoggedOut

Burning a Birthday Effigy

     Turning 21 was a new experience for me, which sounds like a really stupid thing to say because, well, DUH.  Obviously it was a new experience, I haven't turned 21 before, have I?  I have not, but there were a few things that set this birthday apart from the rest.

     First of all, I had three different celebrations.  Wait, I've totally done that before.  It's great.

     Secondly, I did something twice last week that I've never done before, and somehow it's turned into a birthday tradition.  On Tuesday it was my friend's birthday, and he decided he wanted all of us to write down something we didn't like about ourselves so we could burn it.  We combined our scraps of paper and made an effigy, which we burned.  It felt good.

     We decided to make this a birthday tradition.  Then it was my birthday on Saturday.  We decided to take things up a notch.  Along with four of the coolest people I know, I went out to Utah Lake to burn a second effigy.  We drove for a while on a dirt road until we felt like we were away from the world, and then we walked out onto the frozen lake.  The fog was such that you could look towards the middle of the lake and see nothing but white.  We were floating.  We were flying.  Just the five of us.  Burning these things we didn't like about ourselves was freeing.

I think I like this new birthday tradition

The following pictures are for these reasons:

1.  I like making people laugh.

2.  Since turning 21 four days ago, I've been thinking a lot about how I got to be who I am.  These pictures might help others understand.

3.  This last year has taught me that it doesn't matter what I look or act like.  I'm freaking awesome and I always have been, I just didn't used to know it.

(Current picture of me)

     Ooof.  Growing up is hard.  I think it's safe to say, however, that I got progressively less awkward.  Boy, was that one crazy journey.  It was great then, but I'm glad to be passed all that.  I'm loving life the way it is right now!

     I normally try and end things on a happy note, but I'm going to turn that around this time.  I know this is going to make everyone feel despondent, but that's what happens to me every year after my birthday.  Do you know why?  Because after my birthday, it's FEBRUARY.

     I hate February.

     It's a really good thing I'm good at being happy.  This month is going to put my happy skills to the absolute test.

     Just kidding, I'll end this on a happy note.  Look at this picture:

This is me and my brother.  I was 16.

Feel free to refer to us as Batman and Robin.

     

This post is a little ramble-y and annoying.  Sewry aboot it, eh?