In Honor Of A Son

Yesterday, I was a part of the Long Beach AIDS Walk and it was an incredible time of hearing stories and meeting people. I may or may not write another blog post processing my thoughts about the event and AIDS but just in case I don't, I wanted to make sure I shared with you briefly about one particular woman featured in this photo.

This woman was the very last walker to cross the finish line. As she approached, everyone gathered at the finish line to welcome and congratulate her. They decided to honor her by bringing her up to the stage. She slowly walked up, being escorted by two people to help her up the stage, and they allowed her to speak . . . .

As she began to share from her heart, with tears beginning to flow, she announced that she was walking in honor of her son. Her son was a victim of a carjacking and was shot. He received a blood transfusion and consequently was infected with HIV. He eventually developed AIDS and passed away. It's been an especially difficult time for this woman and she shared that she finds comfort in knowing that her son is in heaven watching over her.

I don't think the organizers knew what this woman was going to share when they decided to bring her up. So many people in our community have stories of their own - sons, daughters, husbands, wives, partners, friends, and loved ones - people who have been affected in one way or another by this disease. People are dying. People are mourning. People are surviving. Let's be intentional about hearing these stories and allowing them to affect us.

I've got photos up of the Long Beach AIDS Walk in the Catalyst photo gallery here.