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June 19, 2006
Benches
A bench at the National AIDS Memorial Grove
Before Mike and I leave the National AIDS Memorial Grove, we take a moment to seat ourselves at one of the numerous benches located throughout the Grove.
Few are occupied by actual living people—nearly all of them stay empty. But are the benches truly here for the living or are they quiet reminders of those whom we have lost in this grave epidemic.
Don't take my words to mean that there aren't people here at the Grove—this could not be further from the truth. The Memorial Grove is hardly forgotten and looking at the well-groomed grounds around us one can see that it is greatly cared for. I believe that San Francisco is a city that cares for its fallen family, even as the rest of the nation puts the AIDS/HIV crisis firmly in our past.
Benches are resting places, and most people respect the space around these benches as being occupied, whether or not we can see the occupants. A bench is only a place of rest; they are not meant to be inhabited for an extended period of time.
The journey continues for each and every soul, whether they be present in the grove in life or memorialized in death.
As well, for Mike and I…the journey goes on.
Posted by Bastique at June 19, 2006 9:24 PM
Comments
Qu'est ce que c'est "appropo" mon tresor? O-La-La, je crois que le mot approprier est "a-propos". I'm very impressed with your effort in communicating with me in French, despite the fact that your were taught in 6th grade - c'est tres impressionent.
Posted by: Mike D. at June 23, 2006 6:12 PM
"apropos" corrected (It's on the previous entry).
Posted by: Bastique at June 23, 2006 10:56 PM