Clay

Ride Day 2 – AV200 - May 20, 2012 - dedicated to “Clay”:
I’ve dedicated this ride day #2 to Clay, who was the partner of a dear friend until he died in 1989. My friend shared the following with me and I now share with you:
“Clay” and I were together over 4 years back in the 80’s. He was 25 when I met him, over 10 years my junior, and one of the sweetest, cutest people around. He was full of fun and loved to laugh. He had boundless energy and played hard, worked hard, and loved hard. He had a hearty laugh that I will never forget along with a smile that would melt my heart. His favorite place in the whole world was Jekyll Island where his parents had a summer home. We used to go down there frequently, laughing, talking & joking the whole way. We would ride bicycles and those small moto

r bikes around the island, whatever was available. We played endless rounds of putt-putt golf. He loved to ride bikes….what a fitting tribute to him that you will be riding, having fun, and thinking of a wonderful person, lost too early in life. God will be looking down on you for what you are doing for humanity! Clay died of complications due to ARC….actually, he got pneumonia and his mother was a Christian Scientist and didn’t believe in doctors. Clay died in 1989 and is buried in a cemetery in Peachtree City, a place he always wanted to live. I was a pallbearer at his funeral, which was one of the hardest things I have ever done.

From a personal note, Clay’s story was painful to hear – not only because of HIV/AIDS but also because of the resistance to medical help. At first, it hit me that an AIDS vaccine, even if developed may not have helped Clay. But as I prayed for Clay and those who loved him during my ride back from Rock Eagle to Emory, I realized that a vaccine can be received a little more quietly – allowing those with HIV to make decisions about their future on their own – before a related illness kicks in. I imagined Clay riding with me on Sunday. There were times that I needed a buddy because I couldn’t keep up with anyone!!

I’m so glad I got to meet Clay through the eyes of someone who loved him so dearly and I wish I could have gone for a bike ride on Jekyll Island with him since, next to on a bike, I feel closest to God on the beach. I chose Ride Day 2 for Clay because I knew there would be a Riderless Bike Ceremony at the end – just for the bikers and just before our mass group ride to the Emory campus. For me on this day, Clay was the rider we were missing. We miss you, Clay – but we will win this battle for you.