I established a mentoring relationship with Tom. In fact, he calls me “Dad” now. He is trying to finish his high school requirements, and struggling to find a job in today’s economy. He has a place to stay with me, food to eat, and support that will hopefully allow him to get back on track with pursuing his dreams. In the meantime, he teaches me every day about why the HIV epidemic in DC is so out of control. I learn his story and the stories of his many friends that come and go.

As a participant, I am showing that my heart matters, just like my father. When I told him that I was interning for AIDS Walk in DC, he was so proud he cried. He gave me advice on how to be respectful in the workforce and to be prepared for those who may not support my choice to work for AIDS Walk. He was so proud he held a small dinner in my honor and then he cried again. I loved it. He is my friend. Every time I walk to work, I am doing this for him.

A lot of my dreams died with Joe on that cold January night − buying a house together with a garden for him to grow fresh vegetables, taking a trip to Greece together, where Joe spent part of his childhood, even watching the series finale of Will & Grace together. Out of his death a new dream was born − to defeat this insidious disease. The AIDS Walk may only be 5K, but we have a long way to go. Statistics say that there are 25,000 people in the District living with AIDS. That means I will see you on Oct. 3, again next year, the year after, and every year until I have fulfilled my promise to Joseph.

Just days before Thanksgiving, I got the call I had been dreading for 12 years. Micheal was in the hospital. I dashed up to GW Hospital where I found my brother in the ER – looking so small on that hospital bed. It looked like he had aged 20 years over night. His prognosis was not good. He had AIDS-Related Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL). We celebrated Thanksgiving in the hospital.