Angels on the Journey

I'm back home in Decatur tonight. I'm tired, sore and filled with mixed emotions. As most of you know, we hit the 1,000 miles for AIDS goal on Thursday as I rode with Charity Treks riders supporting AIDS vaccine research at Emory and UCLA. After I hit the 1,000 mile mark, a few riders asked me if I was going to SAG (basically, ride in a car) the rest of the way to Portland. I said, "No, because we don't have a vaccine yet." But perhaps it is important to pause and reflect on this journey together and where we go next.

The miles have been full of angels. I won't repeat the stories of the AV200 or AIDS LifeCycle since you've already heard those. This last leg from Burlington, Vermont to Portland, Maine was full of angels, too. On Thursday, the day of the 1,000

milestone, 3 riders waited for me to reach the 71+ mile mark and took the picture Stephen posted. At the next rest stop, a large group of riders stood and clapped as I approached. I was overwhelmed. For them to stop their journey to celebrate mine was so touching and I realized - we're all on different but yet the same journey. We're all angels to each other whether we realize it or not. I felt very loved and yet didn't even know some of their names.

In terms of what's next, I will keep pedaling and sharing stories. I hope more of you will give me a story to share as the more we talk about HIV/AIDS, the easier we will make it for others.

It is really important to me that the celebrations of this milestone not lose focus on the true heroes - the caregivers, those with HIV/AIDS, the doctors who care for HIV/AIDS patients, the researchers, and the people you know who aren't afraid to hug a person with HIV/AIDS. So if you'd really like to honor this milestone, send a note or make a phone call to one of those people you know and encourage them. THAT makes every mile worth it to me!

Thanks to my heroes . . . you are so special and you inspire me.