The Day After

So yesterday was World AIDS Day, the day of the year that we are all united in remembering the precious lives lost to AIDS. It's a sobering day and an important one. However, we can't stay there.

Today is the day after. It is time to allow the memories and reflections of yesterday fuel us into the future. It is time to turn our sadness into resolve - into determination - that we will not stop fighting this awful disease. It is time to band together - to get on our bikes - put on our walking shoes - save some extra dollars so we can help provide the funding needed - and make a difference. We all know that eventually we leave this earth, but we also know that everyone deserves to do so with dignity. However, as long as we have AIDS and stigma, the dignity is often not always felt. As we would say where I come from: "that ain't right."

So let's take those candle flames from last night, those memories from yesterday and go forth to keep on making a difference. It doesn't take a lot from any one person to be effective. In fact, it is more effective when everyone does a little. (Yes, $25 is huge when we are all in) We really are all in this together and like it or not, as long as one person has HIV or AIDS, we all do.

It's the day after - time for all of us to be POSITIVE - and make a positive difference. From the song that went through my mind in the last mile of 2012 - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now. AIDS will lose this fight - as long as we don't stop.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBoQvhzeeCY