I’m grateful for unfunded needle-exchange programs. I’m grateful for volunteers who give because they can. I’m grateful to be able to do work that I am passionate about. I’m grateful to come to the office everyday and be with a diverse group of talented, bright, innovative, and crazy individuals. I am grateful.
I’m grateful that there are people who aren’t in it for the money. I’m grateful for people such as Bono who go after the money. I’m grateful for Doctor’s without Borders. I’m grateful for the nurses and doctors who stay to work in Africa, and aren’t siphoned off by the “brain-drain.” I am grateful.
I’m grateful for TPAN, for ACT-UP, for ATAC, for ECAB, for TAC, and for TAG. I’m grateful for the CDC, the FDA, the NCAB of the ACTG, and WHO. I’m grateful for ART, for PAPs, for PEP, for PrEP, for AZT, 3TC, d4T, and for New-Fill. I am grateful.
I’m grateful to have wonderful, life-long friends. I’m grateful for the friends that I have lost. I’m grateful to have a family who loves and believes in me. I’m grateful for Stephen, the love of my life. I’m grateful for my cats, who are my kids. I’m grateful for my health, my doctor, my surgeon, and my pharmacist. I’m grateful for Ramona, because when she draws my blood it never hurts. I am grateful.
I’m grateful for all the people who have entered clinical trials. I’m grateful for a board of directors who give selflessly of their time for a cause they believe in. I’m grateful for clients who smile and say hello when I walk by them in the hallway. I’m grateful to our donors. I’m grateful for such amazing writers who contribute to our magazine.
I’m grateful to those who review our articles for us. I’m grateful for our readers. I’m grateful for everyone who responds to our surveys. I am grateful.
I’m grateful to my mom and dad for teaching me about life. I’m grateful for my past. I’m grateful for childhood memories that still make me laugh. I’m grateful for my grandmother who lived to be 102. I’m grateful for the life lessons, the joy, the heartache, the pain, and for my therapist. I’m grateful to be a survivor. I am grateful.
I’m grateful for my triglycerides, my blood pressure, my cholesterol and for Lipitor. I’m grateful to be on meds that have side effects that I can live with. I’m grateful for Imodium. I’m grateful for adult diapers and for sitz baths. I’m grateful that I have now become my parents, and can sit around with my family or friends and we can talk about our ailments and recent surgeries. I’m grateful for antiretrovirals, for antibiotics, for antidepressants and for Auntie Mame. I am grateful.
I’m grateful for support groups that made me realize I was not alone. I’m grateful for the little voice inside me. I’m grateful when I listen to it. I’m grateful to be able to forgive. I’m grateful when I am forgiven. I’m grateful for faith, hope and dreams. I am grateful.
I’m grateful when I can let go of fear. I’m grateful to have choices. I’m grateful for challenges and conflicts that arise in my life, and for the opportunities for growth and learning that they offer. I am grateful.
I’m grateful to be able to take joy in my accomplishments. I’m grateful to be able to admit when I’ve made a mistake. I’m grateful to be human. I’m grateful to be HIV-positive. I’m grateful to still be here.
I am so grateful.
Jeff Berry
Editor
publications@tpan.com
|
