World AIDS Day December 1st, 2016

David Moorman

10/26/2016

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World AIDS Day will be here before we know it and I have been doing a lot thinking about what it means to me to celebrate December 1st (World AIDS DAY). 

For years I could never figure out why people would “CELEBRATE” AIDS, then I became infected with the HIV VIRUS that causes AIDS, and everything changed. 

I now realize that people are CELEBRATING LIFE and REMEMBERING those who have LOST their BATTLE with this HORRIFIC DISEASE.

I look forward to WORLD AIDS DAY each year now because it lets me know that even if I have gone through a lot this past year, I am STILL ALIVE. I can take the time to reflect over the past year and know that I am able to fight any obstacles that come my way to defeat me. 

I take this time to reflect on those I have personally known, family and friends, who lost their lives to this disease, and I realize how far advances in medication has come to keep us alive and thriving.

I know 8 years may not seem like much to some but it really is when you know others who never made it past 1 year or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7… It is a BIG DEAL to EVERYONE who is LIVING WITH HIV EVERY YEAR they ACTUALLY LIVE. 

I have friends who have lived with this DISEASE – HIV/AIDS – for more than 20 and even 30 years. They have taught me how important it is to VALUE the LIFE you have and be thankful for the MEDICATION we have to stay living. 

Yes, there are days when I think how much easier it would be to just STOP TAKING the MEDICATION and let whatever happens happen, then I STOP MYSELF with MEMORIES of those who have already PASSED and the HORRIBLE DEATHS they had because they did not have the MEDICATION we have today.

I tell myself that my time on this Earth is not done and I ask God to give me a NEW REASON each NEW DAY to keep PUSHING THROUGH.

NO, the fight is NOT always easy. Yes, there are days that are harder than others because the body if fighting so hard. I would say that it is my DESIRE to help OTHERS that keeps me going.

I just want to say here that – NO it is not always EASY – BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT if you find that PEACE inside that YOU CAN LIVE AND NOT DIE from this DIESEASE called HIV.

I do thank God everyday that  I have a wonderful partner that has stood by me for 20 years. We have had our ups and downs but we have always been able to weather the storms because of our LOVE for GOD and our TRUST in HIM to keep us going. I am also very fortunate to have wonderful parents who have been by my side through this journey living with HIV. I have a wonderful support network and I know without them I probably would not still be here today. I pray that everyone reading will be able to find a network of friends and family to give them encouragement during their journey living with HIV.

My prayer is that WORLD AIDS DAY will forever be a DAY OF CELEBRATION and NOT a DAY OF MOURNING for me. I chose to CELEBRATE LIFE and I thank GOD for giving me the chance to CELEBRATE each NEW YEAR…

May each of you find peace and love,

David Moorman

 You can read some more about me and my journey living with HIV starting here: http://fightingbackagainsthiv.blogspot.com/2011/03/love-and-understanding.html

Here is a wonderful group I post in if you are looking for a place to learn more about HIV/AIDS:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/riseabovehiv/