POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: emeraldize on August 25, 2006, 09:43:07 am
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Morning is the time of day when my brain spins best, unchecked and creatively. As I finished prepping for today, I realized my brief post on the AM Gatherings thread last night was terribly thin and did not represent what AMG meant to me.
As I recall the conversations and observations from my two-day jaunt in Montreal, I end up nothing short of inspired. Inspired by those who've been positive for decades and still arrive each day, dedicated to living as best they can. Inspired by those who push beyond debilitating drug side effects to show up ready to redouble their efforts against resistance with willingness to try new drugs. Inspired by those who have given up home, hearth and in some cases heart, to start anew at lifestyle levels and in cities they would not have otherwise chosen, but did so to maintain and heal.
I was not able to join the group's Memorial service at the Chapel, so I went by myself after Tim Horn's presentation Saturday morning. Among the many brass plates commemorating loved ones, I stood sobered by envisioning those who stood there before me. The bells began to toll. Although not Catholic but Open and with only two years of high school French, I stayed for Mass and took Communion. For me, it symbolized the communing with others at the event as much as the spiritual communion.
This morning, it struck me that at AMG I met ambassadors of the timeline of the virus, from the ancients to the newly netted. I was, and still am, honored to have been with the group because each person added to my understanding of my connectedness to them through the energy created by the virus. And, each person's story and presence affirmed my commitment to a decision I finalized in writing in the Chapel's guestbook.
From this point forward, across all areas of my life, I intend to be as helpful as I can to enable those infected and those who may become infected to receive the education,food, drugs and support they need in order to live the best possible life.
Last night, ABC Primetime featured the incredible silence that has ushed thousands of African-Americans to death by AIDS. Our politicians can reference the impact of AIDS on Africans more readily than on our own black citizens. This will not do. On a long list of this-will-not-do's will I add last night's new information and call to action.
So, this describes in a little more depth what AMG meant to me. I consider each of us as brave, worthy, hopeful, sweet, humorous and representing possibilities and dreams yet to be realized. I am inspired to work in a way and with purpose as I have never worked before. To be fully inspired was well worth such a journey. Merci beaucoup. Anne
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Hello Anne
You are a lovely person and a delight to be around. I enjoyed our time together. I'm sorry you didn't get to make it in time for our memorial service, but glad you got a chance to visit the Chapel of Hope before you left Montreal. I hope you saw the plaque we left to commemorate The Circle of Light.
I also watched the special on ABC last night. Those little rural southern clinics they showed, in trailers and such, are about what the HIV clinic is where I live.
I am thankful that I was able to keep my health insurance, and that I still have my doctor in Atlanta. There, but for the Grace of God, go I......
Love & hugs,
Alan
PS - everybody, Anne has the COOLEST glasses I have ever seen; she probably got sick of me dragging everybody over to look at them and making her take them off for inspection ;D
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Anne,
It was such a pleasure to meet you in Montreal. You are beautiful - inside and out. We didn't get a chance to talk at great length, but the time we had was wonderful. I can't tell you how much fun it was to watch you dance to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun"...your smile LIT up that room and I have the pics to prove it.
Hugs
Shane
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Dear Anne...
What a lovely and delightful lady you are my dear. We spoke only briefly outside Dontella's but I got the most wonderful feeling from our contact. That night I felt an amazing connection to you...as if we had met and known each other before. I wish we had had more time to talk but your spirit touched me and I am so happy we met in person.
{{{ Big Hug }}}
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Hi Anne,
I think you inspired many more individuals than you know. I am glad that we were able to get a chance to get away and talk, (and disappointed that we did not have more time together). I gained so much insight and clarity with our discussion, insight not only about your but about me as well.
I look forward to our continued connection and I wish you well as you start this new journey of yours. A journey that I know will be a benefit to many of us who are living with this disease.
I know the circumstances that brought you to this place are not pleasant, but the silver lining is that we generally take our heroes anyway we can get them.
Cliff
P.S.- Shane and Alan were right....the smile and specs were spot on. As was the necklase.
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My Darling Sweet Precious Anne,
Rare is the day when one is treated to such a clear and special soul as yours. Girl, you ROCK!
I know you are humble, but step aside just a second, while I reveal just a few more tid bits about this very special and gifted lady. Anne first got my attention, when through my mind raced the question, "Where the hell could I find glasses like those"? Shortly after that, we were either introduced, or we did so ourselves, I am way too foggy now to remember.
I so very much appreciated your patience and stewardship, as you so very neatly manipulated the crowd in the Biodome, so that I had virtually no problem navigating the crowd with my Zippy Cart. Then the wonderful and relaxing conversation we were able to share out front. I hope you will very peacefully accept these posts, sink them into your heart, and keep them there. They will sustain you on the new pathway you have chosen. I think you understand that you were given the "Gift" to help give you focus in life, and to accomplish all that you are so very capable of doing on this trip. I know it is difficult to see it in this light, but I do also know you understand me and more than likely agree. We were all given the "gift" for various reasons, and through your openness, and though your incredible drive, you are being guided into frontiers that will astound you and give you chills. Run on, keep centered, use your woman power with authority and sensitivity, believe nothing you cannot prove, trust nobody but those you know are real and in the end, you will look back on 20 years of accomplishments and adventures with wonder and satisfaction.
OK, all that crap was to simply say, "I am so very glad and privileged to have met you, and I am confident that our pathways will surely cross again in the future".
Thanks for being real!