My friend, Michael (not his real name), is dying. He has AIDS. He got it from a shared needle. He's been suffering now from the disease for over a year, and it grieves me to see him wasting away before my very eyes.
As you can imagine, Michael has been very depressed. He didn't want to come out of his house, for fear of people making comments or treating him like a pariah. He tried to eat, but the effects of the medications and the sores in his mouth made it difficult; this is why he's withered down to nothing but skin and bones. He is embarrasssed by his appearance, so he stays home, even on beautiful fall weekends.
He doesn't leave the house execpt to go to his doctor's appointments.
I suggested that he come with me. I wanted to take my friend out, so he could forget of his troubles. Whereupon, I took Michael out to eat so he could get some nourishing food down into his diseased body. I then took him shopping: he desperately needed new clothes.
In addition, I also took Michael to the local no-kill animal shelter, where I suggested he pick out a furry friend. He found three Yorkie terriors who quickly warmed up to this sickly man.
It was love at first sight.
I paid for the cost of the animals, purchased the food, water dishes, toys, etc., and quickly bundled Michael into his wheelchair, put his three lively friends into his lap, and took him to the car, where I loaded him up and then drove him home. The laughter that was soon ringing in my ears was like music: it made me happy to know that I could brighten someone's day.
Michael is enjoying his new furry friends, but every day he grows sicker, weaker. I know he won't be around that long, and it saddens me. Michael didn't deserve to get sick in this fahion; he was once a contributing member of the community; now he is an outcast and nobody but me wants to have anything to do with him, especially when they find out that my friend has AIDS.
I just hope that his three little "guys" can make him forget of his worries ... for a little while at least.
*to be continued.*
