Not that anyone will really care or even probably read this with all the political stuff going on...
- October 11, 2008 at 8:49 PM by mom0f3angels
- 29 Comment(s)
- 792 Total Views
The following is a copy of a comment left by me in one of my friend's journals regarding the killing of Matthew Shepherd ten years ago....
My cousin, Raymond was gay. He was one of the sweetest, kind hearted, give the shirt off his back kind of guy that you would have ever met. To him, I was "Pinky" (don't ask, because I have no clue to this day why,lol).
When I was 13 years old, he had been diagnosed with HIV, which quickly turned in to AIDS. His OWN MOTHER and sibilings tried to pass it off as him having Leukemia. After seeing the first sores on his face, I knew otherwise that it was AIDS. I wasn't a stupid teenager.
His family made it like he wasn't gay. Made it like he wasn't dying from a horrific, terrifying, and painful disease. They were so ashamed of him and who he was, that he was shoved "in to a closet", I guess to stop the reality of who he was. Raymond was gay. Not a communicable disease (being gay).
Although it was a frightening experience, and extremely hard to watch, I felt that I owed him something for all that he had done for me. He was there for me, always. Especially after my mom died when I was 12.
So, I painfully watched him draw his last breaths and pass away and become free from his pain and agony.
That experience with him, both during his life and during his death, taught me the ultimate lesson in compassion, love, tolerance and that it is okay to be who we are.
If there were only more tolerant, compassionate people in this world. What a HUGE difference it would be for mankind.
Tags: hate, fear, homosexuality, family, cousin, life, death, love, tolerance, compassion for others no matter what
- Written by mom0f3angels on October 11, 2008 at 8:49 PM
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Comments:
I'm sorry for your loss. Raymond sounds like a wonderful person.
Thank you, WolfWillow . He was a beautiful person. He loved others no matter what and without looking for anything in return.
I agree...sorry for your pain....
Hey Mom, I care VERY MUCH about your post!!!! You are a great person.I have a Gay Uncle,and luckily he is healthy. I SOOOOOO AGREE WITH YOU!! The whole world would be SUCH a better place if people were more tolerant and loving towards others,no matter what. It seems that "COMPASSION" is in very short supply these days,in every way. Just had to say thanks.Just because someone is different doesn't mean that their life is less important than ours. Thank-you,for standing by him-the entire time.So many AIDES patients don't have that-even from the medical field,never mind family members. GOD BLESS! LOVE, KIM LI in CT.
Thank you, ghostgirl21. But, you know, sometimes, even after all of these years I can still feel anger within me.
That his family tried to hide him away like he was some kind of freak.
That they would "advise" me to not eat or drink after him if he wanted to share with me (did it anyway!!)
That they would lie to others just to save their family's integredy.
That I, a 14 year old girl at that time had shown the most emotion as we watched him slip further away with each last breaths.
To this day, things such as listed above are still being done to those afflicted with HIV and AIDS. No matter how it was contracted. You would think that by now, many more people would have gotten their heads out of the sand.
sorry to hear about your loss. I agree with you people are so judgemental. Everyone has a story. If we would take a minute to get to know others we would learn so much. And maybe even understand them better.
Hugs. You were lucky to have each other. I'm sorry for your loss.
I'm sorry Raymond is gone. I am sure he knows how deeply you cared. And, you are right...the world would be a a lot different if people were more tolerant (of many things)!
This is a very sad story, I may be toting a Bible but in that Bible it says to LOVE everyone. I have a dear friend that is a homosexual and someone that I am close to daily is as well. No matter what, I Love over everything else, doesn't mean that I agree with what they do or how they feel about the same sex. I truely do not think less of people for being homosexual. No one deserves to be hidden like a secret.
Your strength is wonderful
God Bless
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I read, and do care, and completly agree.
forRobyn Oct. 11, 2008 at 8:52 PM