It will come as no shock that when you work at a clinic where people are tested for HIV, that World Aid’s day hold significance. And slowly I am getting more used to not being able to anticipate my days, but some connections took me by surprise.
The morning started with a short candle lighting communion service. I was asked last minute to do some of the readings in it from perspectives of people living with HIV. Then we were invited to light candles in memory of anyone if we wanted. And for all the work we have done in Africa, my thoughts took me back to being ten years old.
You see I had this friend that was in some ways a mentor, an adult, but not the way my parents were adults she was still young. And she would let me into conversation, when I could have just been seen as a bratty friend. She spoke and you knew she said what she believed without apology. She had such a life and a wit about her and I ate up the banter we had.
The last time I saw her was either the week of my 12th or 13th birthday. She was moving back where she was from and leaving the DC area. The next time I heard about her it was only that she was having some health problems and I worried a little. And then a few months after that, I learned my friend had died.
It didn’t make sense to me that she had died so young and she was so full of life. And willing to treat me like a friend even when I was a child. It wasn’t until a year and a half ago I learned she was HIV positive. And I may not have been able to understand then, and I am sure people were not always understanding and her status was her own. It doesn’t change all the ways she touched my life.
But standing with that unlit candle this morning, everything connected and I lit it for her. My last memory of her is from my comfy bedroom at home, a life very far away from this one and my current work. But that life and strength resonate through many people in many places.
So this friend of mine is who centered my day. And then brought it again full circle when I got to phone somewhere very dear to me that was thinking of the same friend and of me strongly today at the same time. The power of it all would be almost overwhelming but we brought each other so much joy.
Someone today was talking about people suffering with HIV and the infected and affected. I think you would be blind in South Africa to not be affected, but I think no matter where you are you should look around. A lot of what we talk about at Bula Monyako (the centre I work out) is living with HIV. And the stories I think about today and the people that have done incredible things with their lives… well you see suffering is not the main term I would use, I would use living, and yes there are moments of suffering- but the living is what makes this all so strong for me.
And so today was also joyous. We were exhausted after a day of giving out ribbons, and information, and condoms, and inviting people to get tested and supporting people getting tested. But we were also dancing on the sidewalk as we were doing it. There was life and joy and an openness to talking about something, which in so many people’s fears has robbed human dignity from others. This is not a disease to be over simplified; those fears and unknowns are real. But just try talking about HIV and AIDS, and not always as a horrible epidemic because percentages and numbers are great. But its not compassion or understanding. Take a moment today and realize as a brother or sister has AIDS you also have AIDS, the greater our silence or belief we understand something we could still learn about- the greater the epidemic.
Today was a day full of life, reflection, dancing and learning. The spirit is moving, have hope. Happy World AIDS Day.
People are doing amazing things and strides are being taken.
With peace,
Hannah
