Author Topic: A New Suit...(kinda) (Read 23672 times)

AlanBama · « **on:** January 18, 2008, 11:03:53 pm »

I have a little story to tell you, and I think the LTSers, especially those like me who were "Lazarus Syndromers", will appreciate it.

In 1992, my bone marrow ceased to function. I was severely ill, with sepsis, and had been in the hospital for many days. My doctor came in, and the decision was made to discontinue all treatment, except pain control. He instructed my partner, Mike, to take me home, and call hospice. To me, he said "I hope all of your arrangements are in order."

They were.

At that point in my life, I was a super-organized person. After I had made the fateful trip to the funeral home to outline my wishes and draw up the plans, I sent my best and newest suit, a charcoal gray Austin Reed, to the dry cleaners. We packed it in tissue paper and stored it in plastic, along with the shirt, tie and handkerchief I was to be "laid out" in.

That suit has followed me on all my successive moves over the years since then, but was never unpacked. I recently dug it out of the deep recesses of my closet. I shook it out, tried it on......and (after having a tailor let the waist out just a tad) I have a practically "brand new" seventeen year-old suit!

I am going to be confirmed at my church, by the Bishop of Alabama, on Feb. the 24th. I am going to wear this suit (with a brand new shirt and tie). If that isn't a "full circle" moment, I don't know what is. If I get the opportunity, I will tell the Bishop the story behind my "new" suit.

Hugs,

Alan

Ann · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2008, 06:47:35 am »

Oh Alan, that's a beautiful story! Brought a tear to my eye and warmed my heart. Thank you for sharing your "full circle" - a very apt way of putting it. I hope you manage to tell the Bishop.

Hugs,
Ann
xxx

J.R.E. · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2008, 08:39:19 am »

Hello Alan,

It was a very moving and emotional story. Thankyou for sharing it. You have a way about you, If I could, I would reach right out and give you a hug or two !!

Ray

Dachshund · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2008, 08:56:16 am »

That's a wonderful story Alan. Congratulations of the highest order on your special day.

sincerely,
Hal

ps course I'm jealous you can still fit in that suit, I wouldn't be able to fit in the car I had seventeen years ago.

aztecan · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2008, 09:22:18 am »

Hey Hon,

That was a wonderful "full circle" event. I am so glad you shared it. It set a happy tone for the entire weekend.

I bet you look snappy in that suit!

Congratulations on your upcoming special event too. I hope you get to tell the bishop the story behind the suit.

BIG HUGS,

Mark

bear60 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 19, 2008, 09:50:01 am »

Congratulations Alan. Its a rare thing indeed to be given a gift like you have been given.

BT65 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 19, 2008, 10:37:42 am »

Wow Alan, I loved reading that story. Congratulations on your being confirmed also. I've got goosebumps!

sharkdiver · « **Reply #7 on:** January 19, 2008, 01:08:00 pm »

Beautiful Story Alan!

I have to agree with the getting the goosebumps. If I was able to attend our confirmation, I'd be standing up cheering!

Sharkie

sharkdiver · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2008, 01:08:56 pm »

excuse me YOUR confirmation.

sorry the tears were gettin in my eyes while I was trying to type

anniebc · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:08:37 pm »

Thanks for sharing that with us Alan..I only wish the Doctor who told you to "get your affairs in order" could be there to see a remarkable man standing there in his Brand new seventeen your old suit...you know I will be with you in spirit on your special day.

{{{{hugs}}} from your friend in NZ

Jan

pozniceguy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:22:06 pm »

Alan a great story and very happy ending to a sad beginning...It is wonderful how styles and people seem to come around after a time in the closet.... congratulations on the Confirmation.....

Nick

Robert · « **Reply #11 on:** January 20, 2008, 01:36:41 am »

Alan....

what a remarkably Ohenry kind-of-like way you have about you. I'm so happy for you. It's certainly a reaffirmation of life that ony a long-term survivor could appreciate.

robert

allanq · « **Reply #12 on:** January 20, 2008, 04:03:20 pm »

Alan,

Thank you for that beautiful story. Congratulations on your upcoming confirmation, and please do tell the Bishop about your "new" suit.

I'm glad the suit isn't from the 1970's. Fashions were pretty weird back then.

AllanQ

komnaes · « **Reply #13 on:** January 20, 2008, 09:49:55 pm »

The real miracle is that it still fits after so many years!

Well, with a "tad" tailoring...

AlanBama · « **Reply #14 on:** January 20, 2008, 10:28:05 pm »

Thanks for all the kind words, my friends.

Yes, Shaun it does still fit! Except then I was a 30" waist, and now more like a 32" (thank you, lipodystrophy!).

Oh Allan, I remember those 70's suits! I had a few, and they were all 100% polyester! This one (thankfully) is a traditional 2-button, charcoal gray lightweight wool, very sober and kinda boring.....so maybe a bright new tie to spruce it up a bit....

I considered wearing my "best" suit, a navy pin-stripe (and considerably newer!) but I felt this one would be perfect for the occasion. I'm going to ask my priest to tell the Bishop beforehand that he is about to confirm someone who is a 21 year long-term survivor of AIDS....not every day that happens to him (or any other Bishop, for that matter).

hugs,

Alan

OneTampa · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2008, 12:27:10 pm »

Man oh Man! Give me a moment..... Alan, thank you, thank you, thank you! Such a wonderful and apt story. I 'm just too through. Bless you dear man.

Lou-ah-vull · « **Reply #16 on:** January 21, 2008, 05:01:15 pm »

Alan,

What a wonderful story! Just like baptismal garments, your suit is really "clothes of the Resurrection!" God is obviously using your extraordinary experience over the past few decades to continue the great work of ministry (the one that began in earnest a little over 2000 years ago.) Congratulations on this newest step in your journey especially with such a significant suit of clothes! As Prior says in the closing lines of "Angels in America": You are fabulous people, all of you and I bless you. More life! The great work begins!"

Your friend and admirer,
Gary

minismom · « **Reply #17 on:** January 22, 2008, 06:59:52 pm »

What a wonderful story! You need to take a picture in your "new" suit and post it.

mum

Jeffreyj · « **Reply #18 on:** February 06, 2008, 01:02:38 am »

Nice story Alan. I would also love to see you in it!

Andy Velez · « **Reply #19 on:** February 06, 2008, 09:44:25 pm »

Big kudos and hugs to you, Alan, for making this happen.

I want to see a picture of you in the suit. Full length, please.

More hugs,

joemutt · « **Reply #20 on:** February 08, 2008, 04:25:18 am »

What a beautiful story. Lov'yalots.

gemini20 · « **Reply #21 on:** February 23, 2008, 06:13:47 pm »

Dear Alan,

I just wanted to send you best wishes for your confirmation tomorrow (24th Feb) and hope that you are able to share the story of the suit with the Bishop.

I'm sure the event will bring you much happiness and I hope we all get to see a photo of the outfit at some point.

Enjoy your special day.

Emma

Snowangel · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2008, 08:11:33 pm »

Great story! I hope you have a wonderful confirmation tomorrow, too!
Take care,
Snow

sharkdiver · « **Reply #23 on:** February 23, 2008, 08:41:29 pm »

omg that's right!

Tomorrow is the DAY

Congrats!!!!!!!!!

Sharkie

BT65 · « **Reply #24 on:** February 24, 2008, 06:58:30 pm »

Alan, you know we will want pictures!

AlanBama · « **Reply #25 on:** February 24, 2008, 09:18:08 pm »

Me and the Bishop

[attachment deleted by admin]

aztecan · « **Reply #26 on:** February 24, 2008, 09:29:51 pm »

Oh Alan, you look quite handsome! Very dashing!

I love the soul patch! When did you grow that?

Congratulations on the doings at your church and on your confirmation.

{{{{{BIG HAPPY HUGS}}}}}

Mark

P.S. - Your bishop must be quite tall!

Snowangel · « **Reply #27 on:** February 24, 2008, 09:45:56 pm »

Alan- You look VERY handsome, great color choice for the tie! I hope the day felt as good as you looked!
Snow

BT65 · « **Reply #28 on:** February 24, 2008, 10:25:23 pm »

Alan, you are such a handsome man. I had to look over those pics several times because I like what I see.

Congratulations! You deserve something good!

VM-Bass · « **Reply #29 on:** February 25, 2008, 06:06:18 pm »

Congratulations on your awesome day yesterday. Thanks for sharing it with us. Love the suit.

I just went back and reread the story at the beginning of the thread. How awesome God is that He has guided you to this place and time.

sharkdiver · « **Reply #30 on:** February 25, 2008, 11:52:00 pm »

Fantastic, thanks for sharing Alan. You look quite handsome in your suit.

love.

Sharkie

Ann · « **Reply #31 on:** February 26, 2008, 06:34:51 am »

Alan, you look gorgeous! The suit ain't bad either!

Did you get to tell the Bishop the story of your suit?

Congratulatory hugs,
Ann
xxx

(who wonders when we'll get to see a photo of Alan's birthday suit!)

AlanBama · « **Reply #32 on:** February 26, 2008, 10:05:22 am »

Thanks everybody!

Yes Ann, I did tell the story to the Bishop; he was a lovely man and he was very kind to me (he was HUGE too, 6'6" and about 375 lbs)

I tried to send my birthday suit to the cleaners but they sent it back...too many sags and wrinkles that they said there was NO WAY they could get out

Remember when I first joined the forums? I had a shirtless photo as my avatar? That guy doesn't exist anymore..

Love,

Alan (who USED to be at least a 6 or 7, but now is more like a 1 or 2)

bear60 · « **Reply #33 on:** February 26, 2008, 12:40:01 pm »

Alan
Great photos that record a wonderful event in your life. Thanks for posting.

Joel aka Bear

BT65 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 26, 2008, 02:16:44 pm »

Quote from: AlanBama on February 26, 2008, 10:05:22 am

I tried to send my birthday suit to the cleaners but they sent it back...too many sags and wrinkles that they said there was NO WAY they could get out

Alan (who USED to be at least a 6 or 7, but now is more like a 1 or 2)

Honey, you just didn't send it to the right cleaners.

Ann · « **Reply #35 on:** February 27, 2008, 03:50:29 am »

Quote from: Bettytacy on February 26, 2008, 02:16:44 pm

Honey, you just didn't send it to the right cleaners.

Alan, I agree with Betty.

How about you bring that shirtless guy back for a reunion tour?

Sweetie, beauty is more than skin deep - and you're one of the most beautiful people I know. Love you, mate!

Hugs,
Ann
xxx

anniebc · « **Reply #36 on:** February 27, 2008, 05:45:03 am »

I can go one better than the shirtless Alan Ann, I have a photo of the handsome man in his swimming togs..but I'm not sharing it with anyone..it's all mine...

Alan you already know how I feel about your confirmation day...so I'll just repeat what Ann said:

Quote

you're one of the most beautiful people I know

(((hugs))))
Jan

scud44 · « **Reply #37 on:** February 27, 2008, 06:07:18 am »

Congratulations Alan
- I hope you are able to keep the suit long enough for it to wear out

All the best

Regards
Scuddles

BT65 · « **Reply #38 on:** February 27, 2008, 09:26:57 am »

Alan, just wanted to chime in with what Ann & Jan have already said. You are an extremely beautiful soul and I'm honored knowing you.

ARMANDO · « **Reply #39 on:** February 27, 2008, 04:23:35 pm »

what a beautiful story!!it made me reflect on my long struggle with hiv and the struggle of all of us long time survivors.we are all stronger than we think and we keep up the fight!!!

aztecan · « **Reply #40 on:** February 27, 2008, 05:55:54 pm »

Quote from: anniebc on February 27, 2008, 05:45:03 am

I can go one better than the shirtless Alan Ann, I have a photo of the handsome man in his swimming togs..but I'm not sharing it with anyone..it's all mine...

Alan you already know how I feel about your confirmation day...so I'll just repeat what Ann said:

(((hugs))))
Jan

Jan, sweetie, you aren't the only one with photos of Alan - and some others - in their swimming gear. Alan did look good in his trunks, I must admit. (I burned the photos with me in them. UGH!)

Alan, I remember your shirtless photo. It was, in a word, hot.

You are much better than a 1 or 2. In my book, you will always be a 10.

HUGS,

Mark

JR Gabbard · « **Reply #41 on:** February 28, 2008, 12:22:29 pm »

I agree. A beautiful story, and a very dapper gentleman.

Now I too want to see the skin shots.

XXOO JR

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Author Topic: A New Suit...(kinda) (Read 23672 times)