Lisa's POZ Blog

I arrived in Montreal on Thursday morning, around tenish. I knew that three of my compatriots would be arriving in the space of an hour or so, so I wandered around a bit, and found a bench on the sidewalk outside of the airport, so I could feed my nicotine habit. I began searching in earnest for my friends to arrive, and my anticipation heightened with each new group of people that straggled around the far corner of the room.

I carefully examined every face that made exit from the terminal. As I stood there, I was instantly excited beyond words to see Dan, and Jonathan walking towards me. Their faces were a long awaited gift for me. I’m sure my face instantaneously combusted with grins, and happiness, as did theirs. We hugged, and kissed, and went outside to talk for a bit. We found a spot to sit, and recoup from the hours of weary travel, and exchanged travel bitching. I knew that Dan had been in one airport or another for over twenty four hours, as he had called me from Nashville airport the night before. I knew Jonathan had to be fairly bushed as well.
This was the moment I had been waiting for. The three of us had a bit of chat, and I left the fellas to go back in to the terminal, as we were next expecting Jody to come through at any moment. I waited patiently while sporadic travelers rounded the corner, and came into view. No Jody. Went back outside to get another glimpse of my friends, and then zip right back into the terminal again. Bless his heart, he was the absolute, last straggler. I had just made my second trip back to the sidewalk, to report that I had not yet seen him. We decided to at least begin to scope out the transportation situation, and as we all heaved ourselves up with our luggage, I turned around and voila’, I spied the dear man I had come to love so much in Nashville. We then went through ‘the greeting scene’ again, and began an earnest search for transpo.

We needed something large enough to not only hold all four of us, but, the large amount of luggage too. Wouldn’t ya just know it, but one of the black Crown Vics I had seen whizzing by me all morning, glided into place, and we were off. We were all extremely grateful for the first comfortable seat any of us had had that day. The windows were tinted, and I felt like a rock star when we pulled up in front of the hotel. Jody was given the front seat for his long legs, and he was more readily visible to the greeting crew, but boy, oh boy, did the fun begin when the rear doors opened.
I cannot recall being so excited about anything in my entire adult life at that moment, aside from the births of my grandchildren. I wept, I kissed, I hugged, I loved, and felt more alive than I had at any time my memory could conjure. I was actually in the company of all of the people I had come to know and love for so long. It was truly an electrifying time. At this point, adrenaline took over, and apparently fueled me for the remainder of my trip.
This scene played out many more times over the course of the afternoon, and into the evening, as the group grew in numbers. Dear (and I use that word loosely) Rocky, guided me to the desk, to assist me with getting settled, and as I made it to my hotel room, I was so very thankful for a comfortable seat, and air-conditioning.

We each had a packet that had been prepared for us, that included an elegant welcome to our group, by the Mayor of Montreal, restaurant, and sightseeing guides, along with nightlife guides. Each person received a lapel pin of a Canadian Maple leaf, a piece of Maple candy, a red wrist bracelet with the AMG06 logo in relief, a couple of condoms, and a cute little bubble of lube.
If only it were, that I could have made use of those last two gifts.

The group met up again in the lobby at precisely seven thirty (thanks again to whomever hired, or nominated, the pit bull/Chihuahua coordinator, as his tenacity was ferocious) to head out for our first stroll together as a whole, to rape and pillage the village. We were an admittedly formidable group. You could almost palpate the fear that descended over the staff at the various eating, and drinking establishments we patronized. You are familiar with the term “deer in the headlights” look, right?
We were a noisy bunch. Boisterous, and excited beyond any of our hopes. It seemed that we really filled a place, and our mutual love was that of a large family reunion.

The morning of our journey to the chapel of hope was quite truly unique. Forty some odd people, all with the same black AMG tee shirts, red HIV/AIDS ribbons pinned prominently to the fronts, walking en masse’. Along the way, some of the townspeople would ask us what this was all about, and we would proudly proclaim our AIDSMEDS affiliation.

The single most profound moment of my entire experience, was the candle service we shared at the Chapel of Hope. I would like to take this moment to extend my deepest appreciation, and praise for Jan, and Alan, for the well thought out, and truly beautiful service. I began weeping as I read the prayer, and instinctively knew it had to have been penned by Alan. I sought him out, and had to give him a heartfelt kiss for his lovely words. My soul was almost overcome with emotion, as I had quietly voiced to Joe and Stephen, the night before, that I hoped we could have a moment to remember James, who passed from our midst, just last year. Little did I know that he was the subject of our remembrance. There are no words sufficient to describe how my heart transcended to an unknown height, and the endless fountain of tears, both sad, and happy, grateful to be a part of this wondrous moment. The chapel was beyond description, and I am most thankful to the priest, and his partner, that allowed us to hold our service in this consecrated place.
We are all indebted to them for also allowing a plaque to be placed in perpetuity, of our journey there.

We all were so very touched by the wedding vows taken by Ric, and Thom. I could not have asked for a more lovely service. It is uplifting to the soul to witness true love to be bound together for all time. Both of them were still quivering, even hours after the ceremony was done.

We gathered, we shared, we loved, we laughed, we danced, in the face of this despicable disease.

I have been alone here in my little house for so long. I can’t even remember the last time I had this much excitement in my life.
Every face is etched in my memory. Every embrace. Every kiss. Every giggle. Every guffaw/snort. Every conversation. These, I will take to the grave with me.

But in the meantime, I’m hoping for another opportunity. My life has truly been impacted by all of my beloved extended family here at AM.