Earlier today, I walked in the annual Winter Walk for AIDS with a few of the teens I work with and some friends. It was a gorgeous day, with hundreds of people gathering to celebrate and remember loved ones, and to continue to raise awareness about a dreadful epidemic that continues to kill people in our communities. In remembrance, you can choose to wear the name of someone who has passed away from AIDS.
As we were lining up to walk, I felt a hesitant tap in my shoulder. When I turned around, I found a man in tears who had fought his way through the crowd to find me. I was wearing the name of his partner who died over 20 years ago. You know me, I am a cryer, and as we hugged he reminded me that love and acceptance overcomes all.
The theme of the event this year was that we should all stand as one to educate and bring awareness so that we will in the near future have zero individuals suffering from AIDS in the triad area.
How does this relate to homemade holiday, you may ask? Well, I am getting there. Our country has seen a few difficult months recently. This Christmas, Kwanza, Hannakuh, or whatever you celebrate, put aside your negativity, the urge to criticize the views and beliefs of others, to focus less on what people are doing and focus MORE on what you can do to spread love, acceptance and build a better, brighter future for all of us. Be a shining light for your faith, not a beacon of hatred, judgement, and intolerance. We are more alike than you think. We all need to love and be loved.
No comments:
Post a Comment