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USA250 Journal Project
Personal Chronicle: July 4, 2025 – July 5, 2026
A gift for reflection. A record of now. A story for what’s next.
✍️ “Who am I?”
I’m Miles. Ten years old.
I’m good at building LEGO and remembering weird facts like how octopuses have three hearts.
Sometimes my brain feels like someone dropped glitter into a fan.
Sometimes I hear everything at once.
Sometimes I hear nothing at all.
I like dragons, space stuff, Clara when she’s not mad, and Mom when she forgets to be worried.
I don’t like math sheets. Or when people say, “You just have to focus.”
If I could focus, I would.
Who am I?
I’m a good kid on the wrong wavelength.
I’m the one who asks questions that don’t fit into the worksheet.
I’m the one who notices when people are sad but pretend not to be.
✍️ “How did I get here?”
I got here by being born into a house with books, clocks, schedules, and cupcake sprinkles.
I used to think everyone’s brain bounced like mine—like popcorn in a microwave. But then the teacher said “focus,” and the other kids did, and I didn’t.
I got tested. I heard the word “diagnosis.”
Now I get pulled out for quiet rooms and sit next to the window in class.
Sometimes I feel like a puzzle missing the picture on the box.
Mom says I’m smart. Clara says I’m weird, but nice. Dad… he tries. He gives me coins to sort, like that helps.
I like writing stories about animals who run away but always leave clues behind.
How did I get here?
By asking questions that don’t fit on the test.
By noticing when people sigh instead of answering.
By remembering the sound of Mom crying in the laundry room when she thought I was asleep.
What has life taught me?
That being different can be lonely.
That quiet people have loud feelings.
And that sometimes the best superpower is seeing the things no one says.
Family
Jeff Alton – Father.
Meredeth Alton – Mother.
Clara Alton – Sister.
Joan Douglas – Grandmother.
