STILL WALKING…
Posted by admin at September 30th, 2007
Seems that those days of going to friends’ memorial services as a social activity are long gone now. However, I am often reminded that those gentle spirits, albeit my personal memories, are still lingering in my mind. Sometimes a small inocuous thing like a tuxedo lapel pin or a song can trigger the haunting of those wonderful ghosts. I like it when they come to visit.
Coming out during the early 90′s, a guy like me was placed smack dab in the middle of the AIDS crisis. Everyone in the gay ghetto was running scared. Did he have it? Does he have it? What’s that blemish on my chin? I remember at the height of the scare, I attended 5 memorial services in one week and made 3 hospital visits. It was a horrible time. However, I found strength and solice in that group of guys that has become my second family and part time job (right LD?), The San Diego Men’s Chorus.
Fast forward to today. I walked in my 11th SD AIDS Walk today. Lawyer Dude joined me for a nice stroll in Balboa Park. Joy Galloway, our chorus cheerleader and den mother, once again reminded me of those guys…. Terry Amos (my 2nd tenor section leader and turtle collector- I have one of his turtles on my dresser), Jim Velberg, Keith Lasley, Phil Heyde, Merle Johnson (of “I Will Be Your Brother” fame), Vincent Herrera, Ricky Myers, Jack Weaver, Bob Prewitt, Jeffrey Bays, Wayne Barnes…the list can go on. All dear friends and lingering in my collective memory.
I thought of them today — all the fun we had going out together, singing with the SDMC at gigs, crying for others, the endless volleyball games in the park, and just being with a group of guys that I respected and loved. I miss them.
And with that, I keep walking. Joy held the sign today. I won’t forget.
