“Started in 1988, World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education.
World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.” ~avert.org, 2006
Somewhere around 1990-1991, my Uncle Mike died of AIDS. I was roughly 8 at the time. My memories are few, and this was another skeleton in our family closet. Mostly, I have a distinct memory of lining up all of the stuffed animals he gave me (he always found the BEST ones) and crying in my room. I didn’t get to say goodbye, because the adults in my life didn’t want me to see him so sick. They may have been right, but I still felt sad that I never got to tell him I loved him one more time. My family was in turmoil and conflict over his death (and before). Because of a lot of reasons still unknown to me. Because he was gay. Because he died of AIDS.
But to me?
He was my kind Uncle. He had twinkling blue eyes, and a great laugh. He was gentle.
He was gone too soon.
We haven’t gotten a whole lot better with our judgments and stereotypes around AIDS.
We certainly haven’t found a cure.
What we seem to have found worldwide- is silence. So today, on World AIDS Day, I feel challenged – and I challenge you, to bring AIDS back into the public awareness.
Here are some links to get you started, learn and share.
And if you blog? Maybe blog about it, your words are powerful.
Whatever you choose to do today, don’t be silent.
***
Rest in Peace.
my mothers cousin died of aids..also a skeleton in the closet..also way too soon..my grandfather still refuses to accept he was gay..my mother was extremely close to him and it makes me sad to think what if it were one of my cousins that I grew up with..Im very close to a lot of my cousins and I cant imagine what it would be like with the very supportive family I have now…let alone what it was like for my mothers cousin who was very much alone at the time…things are changing..but not quickly enough..
I remember a substitute teacher we had at spaulding..most students HATED him…nobody knew why he was so angry all the time…his daughter was a close friend of my mothers..she also lost her battle with aids…and he never told anyone..just walked around with pain..he was so kind to me in school and none of the other kids understood why or how I could like him so much, I think it was because I knew…and I had compassion for him. It really taught me not to judge people right away for the way they are…sometimes theres just so much pain behind that person that it has no escape
p.s. I had to edit some things in my first comment…I have no idea why they still show up as "author removed"
p.p.s. Thanks again for the card…you totally made a really really bad day semi ok
It's incredible to me just how complacent and quiet we've become about such a devastating disease. I don't know anyone who has not been touched personally by someone who died of the disease or battles it. Thank you for sharing your story.
The attitudes surrounding HIV and AIDS still amaze me. I have a very close friend who is HIV positive and he often keeps that information to himself because people treat him differently once they know. It's really sad.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your uncle. Thank you for sharing your story.