What HIV has taught me

Submitted on Apr 18, 2011 by sharonm10

I woke up today to the smell of my little girl's lavender scented hair and my son's chocolate milk breath and I felt at peace, I am happy, in the moment.

Because HIV has taught me to live in the present moment.

It has taught me to love, laugh and cry in the moment.

It taught me not to look back for it won't change my status.

It taught me to live with my mistakes and learn from them.

Most importantly I have learnt the true meaning of one day at a time. For me, that one day @ a time has turned to 7 years and still counting.

I have learnt to surrender to God's will.

Mano

Comments

11 comments

Submitted by bobe • 13 years ago

well i got the same experience like you,bt i struggled to manage at first but now things has turned okay, even though sometimes i find it hard to balance my life and my studies, wth GOD by ma side am STILL SURVIVNG AND WILL CONTINUE WITH MY STUDIES am turning 21 ka november and my second year coz i failed it bcz of i coulnt manage and i was still shocked. nd by the way ma real name is MAMPE and studing ko CUT welkm free state,
LOT OF LOVE BABY GIRL!!!

Submitted by bobe • 13 years ago

HIV AS TAUGHT ME STOP AND SMELL ROSES AND TO LIVE IN THE DAY GOD HAS BLESS ME WITH.

HIV AS TAUGHT ME TO COMFORTABLE IN MY OWN SKIN.

I ECHO YOU MY SISTER. KEEP IT MOVING!

Submitted by Kristi2020 • 13 years ago

I love your post. Totally agreed. A very important gift that we have received from our disease. All my best, Lynn

Submitted by bobe • 13 years ago

Being HIV+ for 16 years now it has came to my attention that there is so much prejudice in the working field for HIV+ WOMEN, it seems that the hard I work the less I am appreciated.
I know that I am more that just my decease. I am mother grandmother, and a working person in the HIV field. Educating those that came after me on how to live with their diagnosis.

Submitted by bobe • 13 years ago

am moved by your post. hiv has taught me to keep moving on and surviving each day of my life. 11 months and still counting.

Submitted by joyaloyo • 13 years ago

It has taught me that love is not just a spoken word because i have seen and felt it from my family and siblings. and above all it has made me appreciate life a little more. many times we take the gift of life for granted, now i value it alot. its 8 years and i wont stop counting.

Submitted by bobe • 13 years ago

I'm moved. I'm 23 and doing my final year at varsity. its been two weeks now since i discovered my positive status and I'm working hard on keeping it together. I'm not planning to die anytime soon. just like you said "one day at a time" for the next twenty years i will be here n still counting. thank you for the inspiration.

Submitted by bobe • 13 years ago

Im inspired 2 keep up the positive spirit. Im nt planning to die anytime soon.

Submitted by bobe • 13 years ago

HIV has taught me there is certainly life after diagnosis...love..laughter..joy...pain..the sun will still rise...hail...grey days...yellow days...life is even sweeter now strangely enough...I wake wanting to take on the world and kick some ass...I am more grateful..patient..and loving life more than ever before....thanks for such a wonderful post...15months and still counting...didn't know my own strength till now...a blessing no matter what lense I look through...love and light...xxx

Submitted by bobe • 13 years ago

IM INSPIRED BY ALL THESE COMMENTS!!!! but my experience has been a terrible one. even now im not sure if i have really accepted my status. Ever since i was diagnosed last year in march my cd4 is dropping and now have to consider taking Arv`s. My cd4 was low the first time i tested was surpose to take arv`s last year after i was diagnosed bt that was a bit too much for me. If i was told that im hiv positive but healthy i think i would have accepted easily my status. Have not made up my decision when i should start with the arv`s or not. Strange thing is that i have never been sick so cant understand why my cd4 is low. Have not even disclose my status to my family yet. Thats another reason that is making it difficult for me to start with the treatment. Arv`s is not something i can hide for the rest of my life.

Submitted by bobe • 13 years ago

Asanda, I really feel you my dear. Let me tell you, all that you are going through now is stress and as healthy as you feel, your cd4 count will always drop because of the worries you have.

There is nothing as wonderful as family. The moment you tell them about your status, all your problems will fly aware....you will feel like you are born again. You need them and they are the only people who will not discriminate against you.

I thank my mother who has been with me in this journey and keeps encouraging me till today. Since 2005 when i discovered my status, my family, especially my mum has been my best friend. We talk about anything and everything. She has made my reason for leaving in this world worthwhile. Give it a try..you will be surprised. I encourage you to be strong. You are not alone my dear. All the best.

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