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A living memorial to someone you have lost to AIDS (Original Post) William769 Dec 2011 OP
David Matthew Counts Born November 06, 1961 at Rest February 08, 2006 William769 Dec 2011 #1
Beautiful man. closeupready Dec 2011 #3
Its still running smoothly, Dick Stinky The Clown Dec 2011 #2
Rudolf Nureyev OKNancy Dec 2011 #4
William Campbell Born July 01, 1959 at Rest April 06, 2011 William769 Dec 2011 #5
I posted this before some way back. His name was Herbert Riedener. Call Me Wesley Dec 2011 #6
... pinto Dec 2011 #19
Richard Hunt Ohio Joe Dec 2011 #7
In memory of my childhood friend and next door neighbor, Stephen, Ruby the Liberal Dec 2011 #8
Robert Frederick Paulsen--San Francisco Sheriff's Deputy ScreamingMeemie Dec 2011 #9
Stephen Friedman REP Dec 2011 #10
To my cousin Tony, miss you deeply... RIP madmom Dec 2011 #11
RIP Ricardo, Episcopal Priest and friend motely36 Dec 2011 #12
Arthhur Bressan rug Dec 2011 #13
to my friend Joe. I dated his twin brother,Mark. w8liftinglady Dec 2011 #14
Cheers to my departed friends M_A Dec 2011 #15
Thank you. kristopher Dec 2011 #16
My dear Bobby, first boyfriend when we were thirteen and he was trying to be straight. nolabear Dec 2011 #17
My most wonderful brother died of AIDS related lymphoma 9 years ago MuseRider Dec 2011 #18
I'd like to recognize my family and friends for their love, support and rock steady take pinto Dec 2011 #20
4 men i worked at new york tel with DesertFlower Dec 2011 #21
I can not pick just one. For Billy and for Gene and for Miguel and for and Chester Bluenorthwest Dec 2011 #22
My brother cate94 Dec 2011 #23
Peter and E. and Ron. closeupready Dec 2011 #24
In memory of my friend, Sergio. Gone too soon. n/t DesertRat Dec 2011 #25
Leonard's been gone 21 years now...I still can't believe it. Ecumenist Dec 2011 #26
I miss you Tony... damyank913 Feb 2012 #27
In memory of my dear friend, Ken. HappyMe Mar 2012 #28
Richard McLaughlin left-of-center2012 Oct 2012 #29
My nephew Michael. He lived a long long time after his diagnosis Lucinda Mar 2016 #30
WAS FOUND NEGATIVE nik02 Mar 2016 #31

William769

(55,124 posts)
1. David Matthew Counts Born November 06, 1961 at Rest February 08, 2006
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 02:52 PM
Dec 2011

Last edited Wed Oct 4, 2023, 08:46 PM - Edit history (3)

You may be gone, but never forgotten.

God looked around his garden
and he found an empty place.
He then looked down upon this
earth and saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
and lifted you to rest.
God's garden must be beautiful,
he always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering.
He knew that you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
and the hills were hard to climb,
so he closed your weary eyelids.
and whispered "Peace be thine".
It broke our hearts to lose you,
but you didn't go alone,
for part of us went with you
the day God called you home.



I will always love you darling, until we meet again.



Also if you would like to view a memorial of David I did please visit
https://billking.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/David.mp4

OKNancy

(41,832 posts)
4. Rudolf Nureyev
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 03:51 PM
Dec 2011

I didn't know him personally, but I did see him dance. Thrilling can't describe it.
I was so sad when I read of his death.

[url=http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=774&u=11715825][img][/img][/url]
[url=http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=775&u=11715825][img][/img][/url]


William769

(55,124 posts)
5. William Campbell Born July 01, 1959 at Rest April 06, 2011
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 03:56 PM
Dec 2011

A trusted friend for 25 years. We laughed together, cried together, but most of all we cared together. Save me a seat at the card table and we will play once again.

Call Me Wesley

(38,187 posts)
6. I posted this before some way back. His name was Herbert Riedener.
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 03:58 PM
Dec 2011

I was around 12 years old. He was the accountant for my dad's business. Always a great guy with a cool bike he let me and my sister ride on it. Damn, he had his own little disco dance room in his apartment, and I loved to play with the controls. He was a friend of the whole family. Great guy, gentle and loving; best babysitter in the world.

Co-founder of the Swiss Aids Federation in 1985. He was one of the early ones to catch HIV. He didn't make it.


http://www.swissinfo.ch/por/index/Swiss_Aids_pioneer_reflects_on_progress.html?cid=4513058

Ruby the Liberal

(26,217 posts)
8. In memory of my childhood friend and next door neighbor, Stephen,
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 04:27 PM
Dec 2011

who at the tender age of 4 knew he was different than his brothers, and stood proud of that his entire life. Steve didn't stand for bullying - taking the stance of "yeah, I'm different - so accept it or fuck off". Strong stance for a kid being schooled in the 1960s and 1970s. Much had to do with his parents acceptance and support at an early age - something that was not common back then. His attitude was infectious and served as the basis for my equal rights stance at a very young age that has not only continued to this day, but gotten stronger (and more adamantly intolerant of prejudice) as the years toll on.

Steve passed in 1992 at the age of 27 from complications from AIDS. He may be gone, but the impression he left on those he knew and touched is everlasting.

ScreamingMeemie

(68,918 posts)
9. Robert Frederick Paulsen--San Francisco Sheriff's Deputy
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 05:27 PM
Dec 2011

Dear friend to many and my beloved uncle. He loved us unconditionally, and always did so many things to surprise us and make us laugh. He never came out to us and, with his passing, I learned a lesson. It is important to be vocal in our support. It is important to fight for equal rights for each and every one of us...out loud. It is my greatest regret that not one of us ever told him that we knew and that we loved and accepted him. Everyone should be lucky enough to have an Uncle Bob in their life. He was truly a gift. I will spend the rest of my life trying to make up for the obtuseness of my 17 year old self.

REP

(21,691 posts)
10. Stephen Friedman
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 05:41 PM
Dec 2011


That was his restaurant and my second home in KC. Steve was my boss at times and my friend; he was also my sister-in-law's cousin. Steve passed in 1992; his beloved Corner died last year.
 

rug

(82,333 posts)
13. Arthhur Bressan
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 09:11 PM
Dec 2011


Known as a filmmaker but I knew him as my high school English teacher, his first job out of college.

Gone now nearly a quarter century.

w8liftinglady

(23,278 posts)
14. to my friend Joe. I dated his twin brother,Mark.
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 10:46 PM
Dec 2011

We graduated from high school in 1978. I cared for Joe in Dallas in 1992 as he died from PCP.We had so much fun together.Mark came out in 1992...it took me a lot longer to do the same.

kristopher

(29,798 posts)
16. Thank you.
Fri Dec 16, 2011, 11:14 PM
Dec 2011

My younger brother Don would have been 49 this past Wednesday. He didn't make it to 30.

He's been on my mind a lot lately and your thought is greatly appreciated.

nolabear

(41,915 posts)
17. My dear Bobby, first boyfriend when we were thirteen and he was trying to be straight.
Sat Dec 17, 2011, 12:30 AM
Dec 2011

After we broke up and he came out we were such good friends. We joked that no woman could follow me. Bobby went buck wild and made me just howl with stories of his exploits in repressed Mississippi in the 60s. Years later I tried to get back in touch and found out he had been one of the early losses. I still can't believe it. He was one of the most alive human beings I've ever known.

RIP Honey Boy, but don't forget to get up and boogie once in a while.

MuseRider

(34,058 posts)
18. My most wonderful brother died of AIDS related lymphoma 9 years ago
Sat Dec 17, 2011, 01:24 AM
Dec 2011

on the 14th of this month. I still occasionally think I should call him when I hear something particularly wonderful or just to gnash teeth over politics and the state of the ARTS. He was kind, giving and loving. He was our choice to parent our children if something happened to us, they adored him. My youngest wrote a piece for him and it was recorded on his groups first CD. I had the privilege to care for him the last 2 months of his life, made the decision when to stop treatment and held him in my arms as he died. There are few people with such a sweet soul. I will never stop missing him. Here is a tribute to him by part of his musical community.

THE KIM HUPP AWARD was created in January 2004 by Bayou City Concert Musicals to commemorate the life of Kim Hupp and his passion for musical excellence after his untimely death in December 2002. Kim was BCCM’s first Musical Director. Recipients of the award represent this excellence in acting, singing, directing, conducting, producing, choreographing or teaching in the Houston theatrical arena.

Much beloved and appreciated in Houston’s opera and theater communities, Kim gave freely of his time and talent. As a teacher, he inspired hundreds of students, instilling in them his love of music. He was born August 17, 1955, in Topeka, Kansas. After graduating from the University of Kansas, he moved to Houston and soon became an integral part of the Houston musical community. Kim was a professional pianist, musical director, conductor and piano teacher. He recorded for Ann Thompson’s popular opera preparation kits, Let’s Go To The Opera. He was artist in residence at Houston Community College with Houston Grand Opera’s “Opera to Go Series.” Kim was musical director for Main Street Theater, Opera in the Heights, Stages Theatre, University of St. Thomas productions and Bayou City Concert Musicals productions of Follies, Falsettos and A Little Night Music.

pinto

(106,886 posts)
20. I'd like to recognize my family and friends for their love, support and rock steady take
Sat Dec 17, 2011, 02:37 AM
Dec 2011

on it is what it is. They've shared my losses, my ups and downs as I have theirs. We walk together, day to day. I think it's a testament to simple, and basic common bonds.

DesertFlower

(11,649 posts)
21. 4 men i worked at new york tel with
Sat Dec 17, 2011, 04:38 AM
Dec 2011

one was an AVP. his name was bob wolfe. then there was mike who maintained the computer system, robert his assistant and gene who worked in the office down the hall. i spoke to robert a few days before his death. i thought he was going to make it. he was still working.

my next door neighbor and friend tom. we only knew each other for a few months. used to ride our bikes together. then there was rinaldo. spent much of his life as a drug addict, but was clean for many years. had just gotten a job as a drug counselor. got his own apartment and a dog. there were a few other guys who had gotten clean from drugs only to find out they had AIDS. can't remember all their names.

on 9/12/2001 i lost my best friend michael bush. he was HIV positive for years. developed cardio myopathy. don't know whether it was from the virus or genetic. it was under control. on the night of 9/12/01 he and his partner of 25 years had steaks on the grill and were drinking martinis. cooper, their cat was sitting on michael's shoulder. his eyes rolled up in his head and he had a massive heart attack. everything stopped. there was no reviving him.

he was the nicest, kindest person i ever met. i miss him terribly. he was only 42. he was beautiful in face and in his soul.

 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
22. I can not pick just one. For Billy and for Gene and for Miguel and for and Chester
Sat Dec 17, 2011, 11:07 AM
Dec 2011

we called him Chester, he was Jim. For Kevin. For Michael, who got to do much work before he was taken and for JT, who didn't. For Cliff who knew he would not get old. I have to say Miguel again, there were two. So many others. They are each missed constantly by many people, including me.

 

closeupready

(29,503 posts)
24. Peter and E. and Ron.
Thu Dec 22, 2011, 11:54 AM
Dec 2011
I miss them and think about them all the time.

I try to remember the good times we shared, because I would want my friends to do the same.

Ecumenist

(6,086 posts)
26. Leonard's been gone 21 years now...I still can't believe it.
Sat Dec 31, 2011, 07:16 PM
Dec 2011

His mind was clear to the end and I thank God that he had the chance to make it to Sturgis that last time before his crossing. God bless and keep him, Lovely man.

HappyMe

(20,277 posts)
28. In memory of my dear friend, Ken.
Wed Mar 14, 2012, 01:53 PM
Mar 2012

I will always remember the marathon Monopoly games, the laughter, the love you had for life. I remember the tears in your eyes (allergies, my ass!) when my sons called you Uncle Ken.

You will always be in my heart, dude. I love you, I miss you.

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
29. Richard McLaughlin
Mon Oct 29, 2012, 10:22 AM
Oct 2012
Richard McLaughlin

Friend, lover, and co-worker. He used to joke that he was "black Irish".
He was the first person I knew to die from AIDS. Sadly since his death I've known 13+ who have died of it.
Friends, co-workers, clients. I stopped counting at 13; it just got too painful to recall the names, faces, memories.

My faith says that when we 'cross over' we are met by those who went before us.
I look forward to being reunited with Richard again.

[img][/img]

Lucinda

(31,170 posts)
30. My nephew Michael. He lived a long long time after his diagnosis
Fri Mar 11, 2016, 10:20 PM
Mar 2016

but still left us all too soon. A truly beautiful soul.

nik02

(3 posts)
31. WAS FOUND NEGATIVE
Fri Mar 18, 2016, 07:47 AM
Mar 2016

I KNOW OF A FRIEND WHO WAS FOUND NEGATIVE
AFTER HAVING TEST POSITIVE OF HIV

HE WENT IN FOR PRAYERS AND THAT DID THE MAGIC

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