A Holiday Message

[Joe K]

As the holiday season approaches, many of us find that our joy is tempered with sadness at our loss of poz loved ones, family and friends.  While we might tolerate those losses fairly well year round, for many, the Holiday season amplifies that loss.  So for all of us who have suffered a loss, I offer the following from the works of Angelo Patri, he writes:

“In one sense, there is no death.  The life of a soul on earth lasts beyond their departure.  You will always feel that life touching yours; that voice speaking to you; that spirit looking out of other eyes, talking to you in the familiar things they touched, work with, loved as familiar friends.  They live on in your life and in the lives of all others that knew them.”

Even with all of the losses, as I prepare for the season and speak with family, friends and continue to enjoy this forum and all of you, I find that the spirit of this season remains.  The Holiday season is one of love and fellowship; a season of generosity and faith and all are qualities that our past and present family and friends share in abundance.  They also epitomize the type of family that we share here at AIDSmeds.com.

I have been fortunate to know many people, both past and present, all of which demonstrate compassion, generosity, understanding and acceptance.  And when I think of these qualities, I can once again experience the joy of the Holidays.

Let us then revel in the spirit of past and present loved ones, family and friends, as we celebrate this Holiday season.

From our hearts to yours: Wishing you all Happy Holidays!

[phildinftlaudy]

Thank you Joe for your wisdom, your continued guidance, and your love which shows through in your posts.

May you and yours also have a very safe and happy holiday - may the New Year bring with it peace and well being to you.

Phil

[Regretsafew]

Thank you for sharing that...  that sure is an awesome quote.

Have a great Holiday season yourself!

[GSOgymrat]

I hope you guys have a fun holiday, Joe.

[leatherman]

So for all of us who have suffered a loss, I offer the following from the works of Angelo Patri, he writes:

“In one sense, there is no death.  The life of a soul on earth lasts beyond their departure.  You will always feel that life touching yours; that voice speaking to you; that spirit looking out of other eyes, talking to you in the familiar things they touched, work with, loved as familiar friends.  They live on in your life and in the lives of all others that knew them.”

wow. thanks for sharing that. Even though you and I haven't gotten along so well, I think we have shared many of the same experiences on our long separate journeys to this same time and place.

It's times of the year like this Holiday season that I realize that I miss my first partner who passed away 14 years ago as much as I miss my partner who passed away just two years ago. I shed some tears as I hung Randy's hand-painted ornaments upon the tree that I decorated with the lights that Jim and I bought. Even though it leaves me a tad bit "sad", there is a tinge of "glad" too - glad that I had them in my life, and glad that through my memories of them that they still live on, even if it is inside my heart and the hearts of those that loved them.

I plan to share that quote with Randy's mom and with the friends that Jim and I have up in Ohio and hope that it gives them some of the comfort it gave me when you shared it.

thanks again and happy holidays

[Oceanbeach]

Dear Joe,

You are always inspiring.  Happy Holidays!     Have the best day
Michael

[Matty the Damned]

http://arseh.at/2yu

MtD