Ray and Frank

After a week of enjoying the beauty of Yellowstone, my thoughts return to our family and friends we have lost to AIDS. To be honest, it is much easier to sip in the majesty of nature than to contemplate the fight against HIV/AIDS - but we must.

One of my sponsors, who has cared for many HIV patients, shared with me the loss of two friends, who I'll call Ray and Frank. Here's what she shared: "Ray" was a wonderful person and partner and instructor. He danced ballet in NY, San Fran, PHL and Europe. He was funny, expressive and never complained if I gained 5 pounds!! He smoked too much and could not understand why I didn't smoke to help control my weight. "Ray" LOVED dogs, large birds and any animal that crossed his path. I still think of him and tear up-- "Frank" was "Ray's" soul mate!

They taught together,played together, cried together. I still remember when "Frank" developed a "flu-like" illness- " If I am positive I will kill myself!!"" Ray was the one who had the disease initially. He had not been tested for years-then transmitted the HIV to Frank. The next step of course was keeping everything under wraps!! In the late 1980's-- many people felt all homosexuals were pediophiles-- that as you know is not true. Until Ray became seriously ill both of them were able to do what they loved-- teach!! and dance!! For each of them please attack a small piece of dental floss to their ribbons-- Ray taught me to sew my point shoe ribbons with the floss so they did not break--Matter of fact- almost every time I floss my teeth I think of them!!-- Unfortnately I have many patients to remember as time goes on-- but these men were my friends!! The old delta 35.

As I reflect on Frank and Ray and their love for performing arts, I realize it will be six weeks before I hit the road again on my bike. However, Saint Mark has a drama production this weekend that Carol and I are going to on Friday night. It's called "The Normal Heart" and I hear it is a tissue turner. Some things in life are so easy to see - like the majesty of the Grand Tetons. Other things are hard to see - as I'm sure my friend would say about watching Frank and Ray slip away from her. "The Normal Heart" may challenge my tough tear ducts - but I'm thankful we have special drama performers to help all of us remember - this is real.

I hope to see some of you at Saint Mark's "The Normal Heart" . . . I continue to be amazed at everything that keeps popping in my path on this journey. Yes, this is indeed real.