World AIDS Day

[thoreau]

I've been living with HIV now for nearly 16 years - and those of us who were personally spared the worst of the epidemic - had to witness it. World AIDS Day is my personal Memorial Day. I remember the strong friendships I have with people that live with HIV and AIDS every day - I remember the dozens of men and women that are memories. It is hard sometimes to not have remorse for having lived through all that while others did not. There was a time in the early 90s where I didn't see myself ever reaching 40. Times change I suppose. I always use today to remember where I've been and muster the hope and energy to charge on into year 17.

Comments

[bukephalus.livejournal.com]

It's an ongoing tragedy that there still needs to be a World AIDS Day. Thanks for this fitting remembrance. And for being an inspiration yourself.

[bembacolora.livejournal.com]

Much continued wellbeing.

[bruinwi.livejournal.com]

Survivor guilt is wasted energy.

Fortunately, you seem to have learned this lesson, and are using your energies to remember, and to remind others of those who have passed, to stoke the fires to keep AIDS research going, and to keep yourself well.

As long as we remember, our loved ones live.

[wescobear.livejournal.com]

To your continued health, dear LFM.

There are innumerable stories about the AIDS pandemic out there; mine is that I lost the love of my life, Gerry Davis, to AIDS on June 29th 1989. He remains greatly missed.

I couldn't find a way to add a picture to my comment here, so I've used Gerry Davis' picture as my avatar for this post.