“Happiness [is] only real when shared”
–
John Krakauer (Into the Wild)
A friend, whom I met in Alaska during
the summer of 2003, gave me this book to read right before he left our summer
experience to head back to the “lower 48.”
It’s a quote that has always stuck with me since reading it many years
ago.
Looking back, I realize there were many
unhappy years … which left me throwing myself into work/my career, moving from
coast to coast, and avoiding the reality of how to be emotionally healthy in
living with this disease. I lived in
silence to many people, including myself, for much too long and to the point
where I may have caused some irreparable emotional damage. This unhappiness prohibited me to be open and
share anything with anyone. Unhappy with
myself, the situation I placed myself in, but mostly unhappy about how living
with HIV had killed the emotion and intimacy that I longed for with someone
pre-HIV status. That unhappiness seeped
into my relationships with friends, families and those I dated and potential intimate relationships.
Tyler Helms once wrote in an Op-Ed
piece about his own journey with this disease that HIV is a truth not everyone will understand, but one that we can possibly
all relate to, if we try - if we are open to the moment and encourage the
tolerance for ourselves and others to be as well. We all deserve the tolerance of our own
truths; in those moments you find the freedom to feel. That freedom to feel, whether you are negative,
positive, gay, straight, alone, or married — that freedom of feeling makes us
human. That truth no doubt will set you
free. I can look back and think how I misused time and opportunities due
to feeling certain ways. I can only take
those experiences as something learned and move forward.
With that, what that has done for me is
helped create new rules and standards for myself … for my friendships &
relationships … for my quality of life. Those
who choose to move forward with me, I hope you continue to do so. Those who have not, the invitation stands … but
please note that respect runs both ways.
# # #
I have some LONG overdue shout-outs and
thank you’s to donors and supporters from the past six weeks! Thanks to EVERYONE who donated, I’m up to
$6,726 in fundraising efforts!!!!!!!!!
(I still cannot believe it)
It’s been a while since my last “thank
you” post. Where I lack in time, I make
up with heart. I do love writing these;
not only do I try to make them personal, it’s like a walk down memory
lane!
There’s quite a few….so please bear
with me:
Jill
McArdle:
My old friend. You’ve always been
an inspiration to me. I’d say come ride
with me because we all know you can run a marathon without much training. J Thank you for your very thoughtful and
generous donation! Love you.
Heather
Hughes:
I can think of a reason why I love you for each dollar you donated. Our friendship has reconnected in so many
ways throughout the years since we were in grade school. I’m grateful for that. Thank you, my friend.
Joell
Zahr:
You’ve been so kind and generous, not only with this donation, but
throughout our friendship through the years.
Some of my favorite life memories involve you: You’ve been there for me
in times of need (NYC, 2008, two huge jugs of white wine), You taught me how to
breathe with “no air”… but know you can always stand under my “umbrella” –ella
ella ella…Love you to the moon and back!
Thank you!
Megan
Sheahan:
My sister-in-law! The God-mother
to my God-daughter! My friend! Thank you for your thoughtful donation and
support, particularly over the years. It
does not go unnoticed! Love ya!
Katie
Condran:
While we always seem to go years without seeing each other, I love that
we can still laugh as much as we always have been able to! Thank you for digging deep in your pocket to
show support! I greatly appreciate
it! Xo
Allison
Kennedy:
I miss our train rides. And I
miss you. Thank you for the love and
support, not only recently, but throughout the years. Your donation means a great deal! Xo
Scott
& Katie Burns: So happy we’ve remained friends throughout the
years. Your generosity means a great
deal for me with both this cause and this ride.
I hope to make it out to CO soon!
Thank you, again, from the bottom of my heart!
Megan
(Finn) Radon:
Cousin! It’s been a while since
I’ve seen you. (This must change). Thank you for your overall support! Much love to you, my friend!
Qadree
Holmes:
Dude – thank you! Who would’ve
thought that working on a film together years ago that you’d be supporting me
in this journey! I’m very thankful for
this and our friendship! You rock! P.S.
your kid is adorable!
Mary
(Murphy) Tenbrik: I’m
sorry I didn’t respond to your sweet and sincere message on Facebook….but here
I am now, telling you that (yes, I remember KNUHC) and thank you for sharing
your touching story with me! I have no
doubt it was a coincidence, either. I
have no doubt about the purpose I hope to bring to others with sharing my
story. I so appreciate your words,
thoughts and generous donation! Much
love to you, my friend!
Mary
Ellen & Edward Connolly: You are friends of my Dad and Mom! My mother (and Father) have spoken fondly of
your friendship throughout our lives. How
incredibly kind & generous of you to support me on this ride? I cannot say thank you enough!
Kimberly
Brown:
Dear friend, spanning all the way to my college years as an intern with
the City of Chicago Law Division. You.
ARE. Awesome! I miss our wine-night
hangouts! Long overdue, BTW. Thank you for the laughter over the years,
your support, for our friendship, and your generous generous donation! Xo
Patti
Arvesen:
Thank you for your donation. I’ve
said before how it amazes me to see how old friendships never really go
away. Much appreciated, indeed! Xo
Drew
DeFalle:
My time in LA was much better with you there, old friend! I’m so happy our friendship has remained
constant throughout the years. I owe Ash
a bit of thanks for introducing us! I
look forward to meeting up with you on Day 7 and riding with you into LA, if
you’re still up for it. Thank you for
your support, friend!
Steph
(Reynolds) & Tyler Qualio: Thank you for your donation! We may not see each other much these days,
but knowing old friends like you support me says a great deal! You guys rock…and your kids are
adorable! J xo
Heather
Rafferty:
A friendship since 2000 at Steppenwolf!
We’ve gone our own ways, but I’m so grateful of our friendship, your
support, and donation – and for sharing my story on social media! That meant a great deal! Until our paths cross again….much much love,
dear friend!
Tom
& Monica Karnes:
Your unwavering support for, not only me with this ride, but my sister
and her family is nothing short of gracious and amazing! Thank you for all you do. Most of all, thank you for your support and
generosity!
Damon
& Elizabeth Wos:
Your donation is much appreciated!
Thank you for reading my story and supporting my efforts! Liz – it’s been a while. Hope our paths cross soon! Damon – maybe I’ll see you at a random gas
station in WI again soon. J
Xo
Megan
King:
My sister from another mother!
We’ve been through a great deal throughout college and beyond. Thank you for always having my back, your
constant support, and love. I know
you’ll be cheering me on throughout my ride…and throughout the rest of my life!
Mike
Sheahan:
Dude! Thank you for your generous
donation! I’m so thankful for it. Until our next family party…or dinner at
NoNo’s. xo!
Ludwig
Dufrenne:
Who says generosity and support comes from the oldest friendships? Thank you, kindly, for your extremely
generous donation! I’m so happy Anthony
introduced me to you and Kevin. Once
this ride is over, we must celebrate and grab drinks! Xo
Katie (Blum) Wood: We’ve come a long way from our poor LA days -
pushing our beds together and living in a 1-bedroom LA apartment with Lucy
Riles and a St. Bernard. I will always
remember our roommate days with smiles and laughter! Thank you for your donation and support! I’m grateful for it! Say hello to Eric for me!
Nora
& Bridget Sheahan:
I love how both of you (separately) wrote “You rock” in your personal
donation messages! It must be a twin
thing. Either way, YOU BOTH ROCK for
your donations…and for our constant and everlasting twin friendship over the
years! Love you both!
Tony
Barranda:
Tony Taco! Can we just go back to
2004 White Party in Palm Springs with all of our friends, when times were
carefree and fun? Thank you for your
support! I’m so happy to still call you
my friend. I hope to see you in LA!
Josh
Deering:
You’ve always been such a kind and generous person! It’s been a while since we’ve seen each
other, but I’m forever grateful for your EXTREMELY generous support with this
cause and my ride! Rock on, man! And thank you!
Erin
Griffin:
I can say thank you 1000x for your support throughout the years…I may
have if you add them all up! Our paths
crossed in the most unlikely of places, but I am truly lucky to still have you
in my life! Thank you for your generous
donation! Xo
Brian
Sheehan:
Thanks for your very substantial donation and support. Extremely thoughtful! I will certainly practice standing on my
seat so I can spread my arms out like I’m flying while on the ride – and have
someone take a photo of me, as well!
Again – thank you!
Richie
Diver:
I’m incredibly thankful for your donation and support…as well as our
friendship throughout the years. I don’t
have many opportunities to express that to you.
So, thank you. My best to you,
Shelia and the baby! I know I’ll see you
guys soon – and I’m looking forward to it!
Meghan
Rivard:
I’m extremely thankful our paths have crossed in most recent years. We’ve certainly embarked on our own journeys,
haven’t we! Thank you for your words of
wisdom and guidance. I’m thankful for
them… and your donation! My best for you
on your new beginning! Xo
Julie
Marchione:
As I’ve said before, there are those friendships where we don’t often
get to experience as time goes on. Thank
you for your donation and support! It’s
greatly valued!
My last thank you goes out to several
members of my family:
·
My mother (Karen Meehan) and twin brother (Terrence Meehan) for kindly donating three nights of hotel
stays throughout the ride, particularly on days where I’ll be riding the
longest/hardest. I cannot tell you
enough how much the hot shower and comfortable bed will mean to me! So thoughtful of you … and generous,
considering you’re both flying out to LA to watch me cross the finish line, as
well.
·
My sister (Molly Meehan-Scuglik) and brother-in-law (Rob Scuglik) for gifting me my
sleeping bag. I know I’ll be saying 1000
thank yous for this when camping out on the days I won’t have the warm hotel
room bed.
·
My brother (Marty Meehan) and sister-in-law (Joanne Sheahan Meehan) for generously donating my round-trip
bike shipment. An extremely generous
contribution…which I am very grateful for!
2 weeks, 2 days, 9 hours – until I
begin this journey.
Thank you to EVERYONE for staying with
me during all of this! Hopeful for more
to come!
Until then, I’m riding on.
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