Flashback

Remember the 1980's?
Good economy,
Iran,
Carter,
Failing morals,
Failing Church influence,
The rise of the New Age,
and all that was brought with that.

Yeah and a little thing called AIDS/HIV.

I suffer from a poor immune system.
Have my entire life.
You just get use to knowing that tomorrow may never happen.

Suddenly, about 1982, my doctor called me in.
He explained there was some weird blood disorder and wanted to test me.
NEEDLES! ahhhhhhh!
Everything was negative.
My life has always been too boring
Or perhaps too perplexing for an average doctor.

Now I had one of the largest mineral specimen collections back then.
And bought sold and traded rocks worldwide.

By 1984 I was wondering what going on.
Too many of my customers and friends were dying .....
Some of them had been like brothers to me for years.

I went down to a local rock shop to see my friend  John one Saturday.
He wasn't there,
He was in the hospital.
Okay, I diverted to the hospital.
And he was already dead!
Just that fast.

That was how I first heard of AIDS.
John and all of the others had been members of the gay community.
And Kris does not judge,
He tries to live a life that shows genuine concern for others and God's compassion.
And unlike the prior decade of my life,
I started actively witnessing to my "gay" friends.

Few chose to make their peace with God, our creator.
The majority for various reasons chose hatred for their parents and Church get in the way.
"How could God allow this to happen?"
In all I lost 86 friends and close customers across two years.
But, I learned a great deal,
Grew spiritually,
And I do have a few of those friends waiting for me to join them on the other side  .....

AIDS/HIV is still with us today.
But I am less involved in the gay community.
You tend to forget ...

Then this week I had an abrupt reminder.
Someone I care about and pray regularly for,
Told me she has AIDS.
It was like being hit between the eyes!

So, she has known for years.
Just never mentioned it, even in passing.
I have to admit I had wondered how she could be so kucky.

A drug using ex-husband.
And all that goes with that.
Seems she was not all that lucky after-all.
:(

Sad part is, she is but one of two women I know in this situation!
I wish this latest friend had shared this years ago.
I hate not praying effectively.
It saddens me on so many levels.
sigh

So, latest friend is in what appears to be in remission.
The first one is in denial.
Not a good place to be.

So please pray, long term, for these women.
Both are Christians.
Both seem to have a positive attitude.
I just worry for them .....