| 26 people came together...some strangers to each other...some only known to one another through conversations on the internet...and some did know one another...The purpose of this get together was one of a very simple concept...To meet one another...Usually in affairs such as this...there is always a bit of uncomfortableness due to not knowing one another...but there was a genuine uniqueness about these people...At one point or another in someone's life...people stand alone in the middle of a pond believing they were alone...and that no one would ever notice they were there...and in some point in everyone's life...there is doubt that someone could actually love them....and that in itself is a scary and depressing feeling....Specially when the reason for standing in the middle of the pond is because within yourself....lives and breaths a disease that there is no cure for...But these 26 people came together to meet each other and to have a good time and to find out that there is companionship out there...even if it isn't the idealistic kind one searches for....Companionship doesn't have to be a typical man and women situation....companionship is anyone you consider a friend and care about....people can still care without fear of stereotypical stigmas that label people to be damned...and at this get together...people did care...people didn't worry about what someone else looked like...for one day...in a very small part of the world...life was blind to the fears that plague ones mind....People laughed...and sang songs...and played music....people hugged with out fear of what others thought...and even some shared personal thoughts...and there was a relief....within that group of people a new form of love lived that didn't require conditions....and it wasn't going to be labeled perverted....it was as it should be...cause all of us stand on the same ground...none any better then the other...and all sharing the same thing....a life that contains a daily fight to live...I personally consider myself very lucky to have met such great people....and I thank you all for being who you are...Real people...with a real needs....I look upon each of you as friends and family....and I hope that again one day we will all come together to meet and celebrate that we continue to survive....there is nothing more precious then being able to say..." I have friends I care about..and who care about me "....and there is a great relief in my inner self that I can say that knowing it is true...and for that...I say thank you.... Ryk |
| On September 23rd, 2001 in Louisville, KY |
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