In Memory-
Donald, Wilson, and Millions
Today is World AIDS Day. I pause in the midst of my blogging and life to take a moment to remember two special people that for me symbolize the fight against AIDS. Donald, who died in August, 1989 and Wilson who died on Good Friday, 1991. Donald was gay and had surfed the wave of the gay liberation movement from right after its start in 1969 at the Stonewall in Greenwich Village. He thought he had jumped off in time. But AIDS was- and is- a cruel disease that hid longer than anyone knew.

Wilson got the HIV virus from a blood transfusion in 1983 prior to the ability to test for its presence. A number of years later he himself went to give blood only to get the information that he better see his doctor.

These were my two oldest and best friends. Wilson and I looked forward to being those two old codgers in an old A. T. & T. ad who sat on front porches in rocking chairs and talked to each other long distance.

They are two faces that I knew personally. In the 15 and 17 years since they died more and more people have been able to live longer and longer lives. It is no longer a death sentence.

In the United States and western industrialized nations.

In the rest of the world, it is far more tragic (if that is possible) than what has happened here.

Stop today and remember.

Stop today and pray.

Stop today and do something to help stop a disease that is easily prevented but continues to be a plague of incredible world-wide numbers.