A Whole New Meaning

It's so crazy how HIV really sometimes is the last thing I think about … so much so that a new journey I'll be embarking on (blog post coming soon) I didn't even realize, is starting on my diagnosis date! WILD 🤯

When I was diagnosed on May 23 in 2016, I was diagnosed via my OBGYN provider and I'm blessed to say that we still keep in touch and we actually were just speaking (5/19) when it dawned on me that wow, 5/23 will be here before I know it. Then boom, the thoughts of my new journey came to mind.

I was talking with another friend and shared this and man, can I just say I'm grateful for perspective. Many may be able to relate that diagnosis day is rarely filled with happy memories. As time goes on, we cope and come to terms with our diagnosis and live out our bad ass lives, but there's still always that reminder. Whether it's a pill a day, lab work, societal stigma or the diagnosis date itself.

My friend said, "That diagnosis started you on a new path and now this journey will do the same. Look at how amazing God is. What the enemy could have used to destroy you, God turned it for your good and is giving you a new joy to commemorate the date."

Grateful for love, friendship and support. I know I'm blessed beyond measure in that department and I don't take it lightly. I'll admit I wasn't sure what to think or how to feel when that realization came over me but then boom, this perspective just reminded me how far I've come and how much more life there is to go!

So remember, we have control over the meaning we give our diagnosis date and if it's one filled with unhappy memories and thoughts, do something to change the narrative 💖 because you matter and deserve to give yourself happiness and love.