Michelle Hinton: A Great Friend and Inspiration

I am very lucky for the life and experiences I have been given. I am thankful for everything I have been able to have and done. I would not have been able to be who I am today. My parents have been a huge part of this, and I appreciate all they do for my brother, Logan, and I. My mother, Michelle Hinton, has especially given us adventures that we will never forget.

When I was little, my grandfather who was a large part of my life died from cancer. It was really hard for me to even understand at that time, and it had even more of an impact on my mom. My grandfather, that we called “Pepe”, still had a lot he wanted to do in life. That’s when my mom realized that life really is “too short,” which i s now her motto. That’s when she started bus trips.

She decided that if she got a big group of her friends and family together on a bus and traveled, she would be able to have, share, and give Logan and I memories and trips that would last a life time. It ended up becoming larger of a thing than any of us expected. It started out with just a few New York City trips,
and now has become almost every weekend experiences. Since she started trips I
have been to Canada to see Niagara Falls, New York City to shop and see Broadway plays, Lancaster County Pennsylvania, upstate New York for the balloon
festival, Boston for Red Sox games and shopping, and many other places. She has even organized cruises! And if you don’t believe me, her website is http://lifeistooshort.biz/.

I have had some of the best times of my life on those trips. Waking up before sunset to lay in a field and just watch a sky full of hot air balloons; Singing “Sweet Caroline” at Red Sox games; having lunch cooked and served by an Amish Family while listening to their children sing; Laughing and teasing each other in the big yellow ponchos on the “Maid of the Mist” in Niagara Falls. I literally can’t thank my mom, or either of my parents, enough for each and every one of these moments.

And through this all, our family has become closer, friends have been made, and
many laughs have been shared. Going on these trips is a good time to experience
life together as a family and discover things we never have before. My brother
and I have now even become close friends (after years of childish arguing)
because of all of the quality time we have been able to spend together.

And I am thankful for all of the great people I have met through my mom. Doing these trips for so long, strangers have now become close friends and more like part of our family. Walking onto the bus, knowing almost every one by name and
feeling at home is truly amazing. I am blessed to have all of these wonderful people in my life, and I am thankful that my mom is able to have such great friends to love and support her.

This is not her job. She does this on the weekends and in her free time. This is what we, as a family, do for fun. She actually works at Edible Arrangements in
Norwich, where her and my dad are owners. And like that’s not enough to keep
her busy, she is also part of the Board of Education in Ledyard, owns a concession
stand with my dad at Esker Point Beach in Groton, and still makes time to be at
every one of mine or Logan’s games or competitions.

She is a huge role model to me. Both of my parents are motivated, hard workers, and honestly just amazing people overall. They inspire me each and every day, especially my mom. She is beautiful on the inside and out and I pray I will be able to be like her someday.

So, I sit on the bus on my way to GYE (the Gettysburg Yearbook Experience) following me dream and motivation of journalism and design. You have, and keep supporting me with everything I do, and I got my “drive” and love for learning and achieving my goals from both you and dad. I could not have been more blessed to have such kind, loving, and inspirational parents.

You don’t know I’m writing this right now, and I’m sorry I could not be with you today.

I love you so much. Happy Birthday, mom.