6 years and counting ...

It is like a birthday of sorts...

The day I was diagnosed sits in my mind and pops in from time to time.

This past year I stepped up to put myself out on the front lines but I do spend time reflecting on my status and what that means to me and how it has changed my life.

This past year I had the honor to be feature in the CNN article, Start volunteering with the local HIV/AIDS organization CAP, I got to walk in the PORTLAND AIDS WALK, and got to watch as my partner started to come into his own acceptance and disclosure.

As I approach my 6th POZIVERSARY I plan to continue to work on the things that mean a lot to me. I want to continue to combat the ideas that surround HIV stigma and misconceptions. I find it ridiculous that 30 years after the start of the HIV epidemic, so many people ask and judge how you got it. As if the act is worse than the actually disease, yet no one ever questions why anyone would have Heart Disease, Diabetes, or Cancer.

I have decided that this year I will continue work on myself and the things that I personally want to accomplish with my writing, music, and photography. I will challenge myself to keep striving to be more authentic. I will also work at the things that I want to do such as baking, more dog obedience and working on our home.

I will also continue to work at showing that you can be healthy, happy and live a full and complete life, even with HIV. I will show that nothing will slow me down whether I am in my thirties or not. I feel that my life is still just beginning and I am humbled by the experiences that I have had this previous year.

Here is to health, happiness and the future of another year living anew...