Friends: Why they are here.

Most of the time, I don't think that people look at their friends with the same kind of love and admiration that I think I do. I love my friends just as much as I love my family. In a lot of instances, my friends are my family.

When I left Arkansas, I left a lot of friends behind and I miss them terribly. I find myself just sitting at my desk, wondering what they are doing and how they are doing. Dax, Tiger, Veronica, Danielle, Brett, Tara, Casey, Warren, Chris, Brett, Gary, and so on.

I have gained a lot of new friends here in Columbus. I have found a few that I really feel that I have come to know and they are going to be some of my best friends. I have found a few that the more I get to know, the more I want to know better. They are just good people. I meet new people every day and its a great part about being in a new city. I only hope over time, these people still remain my friends.

One good thing is that my best friend Karrie lives here now. She is the greatest and I love her. My other best friend Josh is here and thankfully he keeps me sane. Whether it be by medicated alcohol or listening to me on a hard day, I know they are my best friends. Marshall is getting close... not quite there yet!

I just felt like blogging a tribute to my friends. I have been on an emotional roller coaster today and wanted to do it while I was thinking about it.

The Hardest Part of My Job...

I am in HIV Prevention. I am going to come into contact with people who have HIV. I am going to come into contact with people who do not. I am going to come into contact with those who believe that they cannot get it as well as those who believe it is inevitable for infection to occur. I can handle all of that. I do both testing and counseling and for the most part, I can handle that too...

The hardest part of my job is telling someone who is just starting their life, that they are infected with HIV. I had a twenty year old guy come in today and I had to give him the unfortunate news that he was infected. I don't know why the younger guys give me the most grief, but I have given results to older guys and it doesn't affect me as much.

I know HIV is not the "death" sentence that it once was, but it still ensures the people who are infected hardships that we cannot imagine, as people who are not infected. People's lives change in almost every aspect due to that one thing I have to tell them during the testing period. It is such a humbling experience. It puts reality into perspective when compared.

I don't feel sorry for people infected with HIV, but at the same time, I do. It is a double edge sword that I have to deal with. Bad decisions lead to mistakes and that, unfortunately, is what it is... a mistake. Due to that mistake, people who are infected are treated so badly...

I love my job and the work that I do, but having to do that is the hardest part of my job.