To Live and Die

A dear friend of 36 years recently died of AIDS (he was 70). He was a vital part of every life he touched. When telling people I was going to visit him (or attend his funeral), I was constantly asked if he was gay. The question angered me because if I responded, “Yes,” they would simply accept AIDS as a given, perhaps a retribution; if I said, “No, bad transfusion,” the sympathy would flood me.

A disease doesn’t have a morality or a belief.

Soon, very soon, everyone will be affected by AIDS in some way. It will change our lives far more than a gas-price increase.

DONNA REYNOLDS

Whittier