Ron's POZ Blog

This is my birthday BLOG since I have so remiss in writing lately! Busy with the mini-van and rediscoveries!

It has been 8 years since the PML diagnosis on Nov. 5, 1999 and today is my birthday, Nov. 7; 49 – I really never expected to see it, but, here I am!

A good friend from high school shares the same day and year with me so we have been joking that next year, we will have a “Hawaii 5-0” themed party. She has been a friend for more than 31 years now and A LOT of fun even just to talk to – her sense of humor is soooo off-the-wall and unexpected – you HAVE to laugh.

Another friend, gay, yes gay, sent me a beautiful birthday card reminding of all my obstacles met with perseverance which he admired and then enclosed another small handwritten slip of paper:

"The Will of God will never take you
where the Grace of God will not protect you."

I was absolutely taken back by his gesture, because my friend never seemed remotely religious or spiritual. His gesture warranted a heartfelt thank-you telephone call by me and we had a lengthy conversation about life in general – mainly how it twists and turns; never going how we had planned like back in our 20s. He is HIV negative as is his lover of 12 years. We have been friends for 25 years and never once discussed religion or spirituality until 2 days ago. It was nice but I then wonder – is it age that makes people, my friends namely, more spiritual? Or, as he stated so kindly – me?

This quote is now my favorite and has become my mantra, so that I can hope to understand the direction my life has now taken. And, please remember, this is my personal belief and how I am dealing with my lot in life and as I am always saying, I would never presume to pontificate my personal spirituality on anyone. I only wish to let people know what has given me that little extra ‘umph’ to keep going. I sure as hell do not expect an outpouring of sympathy or congratulations because to me, this is the “hand I’ve been dealt” and my own motivation is what drives me.

Happy Birthday to all the November babies…and everyone else too!

Life is what you make of it no matter what has happened and I for one, am not ready to give up!