A Day of Mourning

 

December 1st can be a hard day. It's World AIDS Day, a time to remember the tens of millions of people who died of AIDS. I did AIDS work for over twenty years and spent many December 1st days in some state of mourning. I didn't want to spend the day in a state of loss and grief, so I decided to engage in escapist fantasy. I watched Wakanda Forever--a movie, unbeknownst to me, was all about loss and grief! Oy.

Their was a somber farewell to Chadwick Bosemen, which was emotional enough, but the whole movie seemed to grapple--in a successful and adventurous way--with a number of ways we experience loss. Yes, this was about the loss of loved ones, but it was also an exploration in the loss of culture. 

We were introduced to Namor, one of the most complex villains to come along in awhile. Tenoch Huerta was excellent as this Mayan god. He is what he is due to colonization. 

I found myself misty eyed, feeling what I needed to feel on World AIDS Day--loss and grief.  

To those we lost to AIDS, I miss you.

I See You

The Therapist, Oil on Wood, 16 X 20, 2016

I see you.

You, the doctors and nurses watching patients and colleagues die.

I see you.

You, those who lost loved ones.

I see you.

You, the social workers and therapists and chaplains who'll absorb the pain. You're shell shocked, bewildered, confused.

I see you, the ones who've lost someone.

I see you, the ones witnessing the loss.

I see you, the one who've lost the words.

How many times can we say, "Condolensces; so sorry for your loss; if you need anything, call."

I see you.  I see you. I see you.

You are valuable. You are needed. You are amazing.