I went to the unfolding of the AIDS quilt in my little country town tonight. We don't do this every year now. As sad and hard as it is to remember I think it is worth it. When I first arrived here in the 1990's as a young gay boy from the city it was a real challenge, I met a few others and that made life here possible. We lost about half of the community here through that time and in the next few years, some of them were friends. So I'm dealing with some big feelings, it was a little confronting that as I took part in the unfolding there on the corner was a panel for someone who shared my name. What keeps me well is the change that has happened over the last 20 years and that now we don't have to hide which is what those friends and I used to dream of back then. The change gives me hope.
I thought that was a very moving post. Unfolding the quilt must have been a bittersweet experience for you- so many mixed emotions. Grief, pain, relief and hope at the same time.
The 90s sound like it was rough for you but the understanding that you found in the few that you mentioned must have made all the difference.
So here'a to hope and change and may things continue to improve.
