Once upon a time long long years ago I had a friend. I was young. He was young. We were all young! It was the 70's and life was wild and crazy and fun because we were so young! My friend was quite simply, beautiful. His beauty began in his heart and love poured out into the world every time he smiled. He was an amazing artist and an imaginative theatrical performer. O how I secretly loved that little twinkle in his eyes when he began to work his magic and talk me into something.
My friend loved the Phantom of the Opera. One day a group of us were hanging out. Suddenly (it seems) standing before us was an old, large abandoned house. My friend's imagination took off. Yes, he persuaded us to find a way to sneak into that house with the signs that said, "Condemned. Stay Out!" Although the details are lost in the deep recesses of my mind, I believe the house was two or three stories high. I know there was an attic with many secret spaces. This old house had a lovely rounded wooden staircase.
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| As I've written my story today, I remember being drawn to this picture I found in a magazine. I spent time with it and I interpreted it ... it looks much like the staircase in the old house. I've used it before and shared the poetry I wrote as I meditated with it. Take this link to read the poetry: Secrets of the Spiral Staircase |
The massive staircase took center stage around which a collection of sparsely furnished rooms revolved around and around, connecting like a monstrous maze, delightful and deceiving! Darkness prevailed in the old house because the windows were boarded up. The sunshine sent fingers of precious light streaming through the cracks inviting the shadows to dance and come alive to scare us out of our wits at just the right moments. My friend told us about the Phantom as he invited us to re-create the story with him. Of course, he was always the Phantom. And I was sometimes Christine. As the Phantom, my friend came alive in that house so shrouded in darkness. I saw the real young man emerge in the tortured dialogue of the Phantom. I saw him come alive in ways that he could not as we walked in a world so blinded by artificial light that it rips your persona into pieces if you dare to be different. I think perhaps in that old house and in the Phantom's skin, my friend felt safe enough to allow all of his emotions pour forth. As he personified the soulful Phantom, he grew into an authentic person ...
In the 70's people didn't talk about being gay. He never told me. It was always here, like that proverbial pink elephant, but we never talked about it. I wonder if he wanted to talk about it. I wonder if he thought my friendship and love for him would disappear if he told me who he really was. One day my friend left our little town. He said he just needed to "find" himself. He became an artist in New York, and I hear he did really well, but we lost touch ... I wasn't there because I had gone off to "find" my own self. I guess we all have to do that sometimes. A few (way too few) years later, my friend finally came home ... to die.
AIDS is an ugly killer. AIDS runs rampant throughout the world. More than 33 million men, women, and children have died from AIDS. Women and children are especially vulnerable victims due to gender and age related issues. What can we do about this global crisis? We can work together. United Methodists are stepping up to provide a tangible response to the HIV/AIDS crisis through the United Methodist Global AIDS Fund. This fund represents the commitment of every United Methodist to put a stop to HIV/AIDS in our world. In honor of my daughter's 22nd birthday today and in memory of my friend, I have already made a donation. If you or someone you know has been touched by the AIDS crisis in the world, and if you feel called to do so, you can take this link and give to the
UM Global AIDS Fund, UMCOR Advance #982345
Today I celebrate the life of my own Angel of Music!
whose life changed my life.
I am more tolerant.
I am more understanding.
I am more loving.
I am more generous.
Praise God from whom all Blessings flow!
AMEN
