Wednesday, December 01, 2004
TODAY IS WORLD AIDS DAY
Today I remember my beloved brother-in-law Tom, and too many friends and loved ones needlessly lost to the most devastating disease my generation has ever known.
Tom was the youngest brother of my (ex) husband. He became one of my closest friends. We spent countless hours together, giggling at everything under the sun while sharing buckets of crawfish and beer. Tom used to call the house every Saturday morning. When my husband would answer the phone, Tom would tell him "I didn't call to talk to you. Give me Cate." I still miss his Saturday morning phone calls, more than eight years after his untimely death from AIDS.
I've been to entirely too many funerals and memorial services for loved ones who have died of AIDS. Neighbors, co-workers, former classmates - all precious lives now gone from my life.
AIDS is the most devastating disease of our lifetime. Tom was gay, but this is not a gay disease. We may still be, at heart, a discriminatory society. But AIDS does not discriminate. No one is immune to this disease - every race, every gender, every age group, every nationality, every religion, every sexual orientation is at risk. And it's completely preventable. Do whatever you need to do to stay healthy. Become educated on prevention. Use condoms. Be safe. Do this in memory of Tom and countless others, and do it in honor of those who love you and need you in their lives.
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Tom was the youngest brother of my (ex) husband. He became one of my closest friends. We spent countless hours together, giggling at everything under the sun while sharing buckets of crawfish and beer. Tom used to call the house every Saturday morning. When my husband would answer the phone, Tom would tell him "I didn't call to talk to you. Give me Cate." I still miss his Saturday morning phone calls, more than eight years after his untimely death from AIDS.
I've been to entirely too many funerals and memorial services for loved ones who have died of AIDS. Neighbors, co-workers, former classmates - all precious lives now gone from my life.
AIDS is the most devastating disease of our lifetime. Tom was gay, but this is not a gay disease. We may still be, at heart, a discriminatory society. But AIDS does not discriminate. No one is immune to this disease - every race, every gender, every age group, every nationality, every religion, every sexual orientation is at risk. And it's completely preventable. Do whatever you need to do to stay healthy. Become educated on prevention. Use condoms. Be safe. Do this in memory of Tom and countless others, and do it in honor of those who love you and need you in their lives.
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