The
AIDS Quilt
Washington DC
"Back In The Day'
Good morning
it is
December 01, 2010
World AIDS Day
As I sit here and greet the morning while it is still dark, I am reflecting on all the many many years... and many it has been
since the days when those words were first uttered.
HIV/AIDS.
We've come a long way,
a really really long way since then
with so many lives lost.
The rain is coming down, the crisp is in the air this morning.
I had a tremendous high yesterday, above the sun I believe, only to end the day with a fall of rapid speed to hit the ground so hard that my brain is still recovering.
There are times that integrity comes at a high price.
Integrity and honor still win in my book though.
Happy first day of December.
Storms never last, thunder and lightning beings
play in the sky under the watchful eyes of
the Creator.
Rainbows after the storms of life
heartaches of rejections, of fears, of loneliness
and times of despair
along with
HOPE/FAITH/REFLECTION/TENDERNESS
healing and friendships that sustained
when families turned their backs.
The quilt
that magnificent quilt, the squares each unique
as the individual they were made for.
Each with a story as rich as the fabric
handled as though a precious diamond,
laid with care by volunteers who worked round the clock
there between the Capital and
The Washington monument.
When President Clinton showed up
we all cried, we watched, we saw his tears
his acknowledgement.
I worked security for that entire weekend
with so many I have forgotten their names.
Each day about 1200 volunteers worked hand in hand
unfolding with precision, with honor, with pride,
walking the ground, being support, security, manning all, doing as much as possible for as many as possible, taking press up in cherry pickers for photos.
Getting the word out that this Memorial Quilt was
the human faces of AIDS.
Taking "back the night" as folks took to the street in a rally with candles lit.
We stood together,we wept together,
we laughed, we prayed.
We stood like warriors
protecting those quilts
and offering kindness and arms and Kleenex
to those that came, and they came, and came,
and stayed.
and we remembered.
That was the year I learned how to operate a
Cherry Picker (did I mention I do not like heights)
Rainbows in the middle of a sea of tears,
parents wishing they had not turned their backs
on
their children
gazed upon the squares and talked about
their stories
their memories
Lovers united with friends as they recalled
the drug trials, the good times,
the sad and final times.
The military, the bikers, the women, friends, families, those of color, different faiths, tradtitons, cultures,
Native Americans in regalia,
the children mourning and remembering
their parents, aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters.
Each panel a work of art, a tribute a work of love.
A person who had died of
HIV/AIDS
They read the names
Celebrities came
Elizabeth Taylor was there.
I got to meet her!
I even got a kiss right on the lips from her as she held that little white dog... if I remember it right, she had that dog give me a smooch on the cheek too!
I stood to the right of President Clinton, holding back the crowds who wanted to shake his hand, and secret service were everywhere... Mrs Clinton was there right beside him, she was moved as was he.
Africa has more than14 million + AIDS babies who are AIDS orphans.
At the end of 2008 women made up for 50% + of all AIDS cases.
WE have much work yet to do...
WE have come a long long way since the early days of this devastating disease, that once was hidden from sight, one that folks didn't say out loud for fear of rejection.
WE must continue to "educate", to love one another without judgment and opinion...
To continue to stand up as the grande dame Elizabeth Taylor always has... For it is in the standing that others will rise.
May you walk today and remember them, those who have their legacies... those whose names were read on AIDS day and those in the hearts of so many so often.
We Remember them.
Walk In Beauty,
DRSES
That is the hope IN Healing Heartaches,
http://www.drsherryeshowalter.com/
4 comments:
Progress has been made in this arena, but there is a Loooong way to go to find the cure. I too remember the quilt on the mall in Washington. What a remarkable expression of love and rememberance. Each quilt section a beautiful unique tribute to a life lost. Too many years of research crippled by the struggle to keep the fire burning, to struggle against bias and hate, apathy and stigma.
I worked for some years with kids with aids at Childrens'National Medical Center and saw up close the cost, the loss, the isolation of aids. Sad memories. Tough little warriors at a time when aids cocktails were brand new and not very successful. Today, as moe trials have been done, aids is moving towards a more managable disease, for some, in the instances where healthcare is available. That's the real issue, it is not readily available to everyone.
We must continue to care, to support research, services and education. STOMP
My dear friend, Sherry, Dr. SES: you said it all this morning. You are a fabulous person and a kind, caring being. I will reflect on those lost to ARC/HIV/AIDS, remember them as beautiful people, honored by a panel of material, but filled with love. My visit to the mall in Washington, walking among the sea of visitors and souls laid on the ground will never be forgotten. Wearing my red ribbon today and remaining FIRM.
Thank you,
hellooooo, I will say it again,
Thank you... Aid's disease has never
directly affected my life, however, I
am very moved by today's blog...
It is my wish that there be no more
pain and suffering for the victims of
this insidious diesease... I have often heard
remarks and judgements passed which each
time infuriate me... We need not judge any
human according to our personal standards..
we are all the same, with the same heart
and blood... no man is perfect.. each of us
could become a victim of sorts.. the need for
a cure for HIV/AIDS is mandatory in
our lifetime... the devastation of loss of
someone you love is universal, no matter
the cause.
The quilt is beautiful... I can feel the
love and spirit ... how can we be such a
super power nation and not have the means to
wipe out these killers... Cancer, Aids,
Diabetes, MS... too many to imagine..
I vote for many more of our already
taxed dollars to be directed to medical
research !!!
sign me, sorry for the soapbox rant,
humbled and with thanks, for opening my
heart and mind...
May the Angels sing in sweet memory,
A.
Doc, very moving blog today-I remember going to see the quilt not the whole thing just a small part of it when it was in NYC for a short time. Then I picked up the paper and read that Dr. Nadler has died. I remember him being interviewed about AIDS and trying to teach people. I believe he was one of the first to tell people it's ok to hug and kiss a person with AIDS. OMG-the pain that those people were put thru! not just by the uninformed but the supposed "MEN OF GOD"...that wasn't my GOD -just their stupidity. I still get angry about it-well, enough of my rant for the day-I think I'll go and center myself and say some prayers into the wind for Dr. Nadler. Hope your evening is peaceful.Talk to ya soon!
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