It’s not a hotel.
He’s my friend. He was my friend.
One of the better friends I had.
I can certainly not call him my favourite friend but I have nothing but regret from not thinking in that point of view.
He was a great person. kind and caring individual with a straight attitude towards life.
Optimistic, and always looking for fun things to do.
He had stories of adventures in BC and loved talking about longboard gear.
An irreplaceable person; an irreplaceable friend.
He was always there to skate and shred a hill with me but I turned him down more times than I am proud to say.
He’s gone.
He has been for almost a year.
It has been tough, knowing that a person you cared about is suddenly non-existent..
but then again, all death is hard to deal with.. no?
the only other person that has been taken out of my life was my grandfather.. on my dad’s side.. he passed on christmas eve.. To be honest, i lived my life as i always have.. his passing didnt affect me. mostly because the memories i have of him are of him lying on his bed, sick. the conversations i had with him were hi, hello, good bye.
I never had much of a grandfather.
Friends, it’s different.
Losing a friend, it’s different.
Losing a friend to a sport that you frequently took part in together?
Not to be selfish… but that could have been me!
I would have been up there if i hadn’t worked that weekend..
I would have seen the whole thing!
THEN HOW WOULD IT HAVE BEEN?
I could have been him. on life support for 21 days, with my family by my side knowing i wouldn’t make it. having false hope and optimism just to be crushed TWENTY ONE DAYS LATER.
I use his story to promote safety. Dozens of us use that exact story to remind longboarders and other sporting participants alike, that your brain is not worth risking. bones will heal but your brain, it might never..
some understand. some are moved.. some ignore and live their life..
You cant change the whole world..
Hilton, I know you’re there reading this.
I know you’re with me every push.
I know you’re at peace and happy.
I’ll come by and see you one of these days..
I miss you Hilton….
just wait a while,
we’ll all be there bombing the greatest hill beside you!