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Posted by Brad Its not easy to live life sometimes, and face the world with a smile when you are crying inside. It takes a lot of courage to reach down inside you, hold on to that strength thats still there, and know that tomorrow is a new day with new possibilities. But if you can hold on long enough to see this through, youll come out a new person-stronger, with more understanding and with a new pride in yourself from knowing you made it. I walked into those doors during a rather hard time in my life, over a year ago. I knew nothing about our culture, our people. I was fresh out of the closet to myself, just looking for acceptance. I found that here. Link: My Web Page
on 11/12/2002, 7:29 am
12.107.167.130
I know Erschel that you wanted a copy of my lil speach that I did on my last day. When I had gotten home that evening I put it somewhere and it took a long time for me to find it again. Well you are in luck, last night during one of my cleaning sessions I found it.... So here it is...
Walking into those doors, I was probably as scared as I ever was, but Pride Youth had opened the door to possibilities for me. I had never had any gay friends, and now nearly all my friends are gay. I never knew how powerful the community was, and now I am part of that power. I never believed that there were so many like me, and now I know we are everywhere. With the friends that I have gained here, I have gained an acceptance for myself. This place has certainly changed me. Some of it I have not see, or wont believe, but nearly all of you that have known me for some time, has come up to me and said how much I have changed. With great sorrow I will be leaving this place, but I hope not to leave any of your lives.
I promise not to waste time owrrying about what might happen, but to devore my time to making things happen. I promise to avoid thinking of what could be done if I were different. I am not different; I am me- I will do my best with what I have. I promise to stop saying, "if I could find the time..." because we cant find time- we have to make time for those things that are important. I promise to begin by doing and not waste the precious time I have. I promise to do the necessary, avoid the unnecessary, and live each day fully- as though it may be my last day on earth. I promise to never be "waiting for tomorrow..." because it never comes.
Nothing you loved is lost, not really. I loved this place. Things, people - they always go away, sooner or later. You cant hold them, any more than you can hold moonlight. But if they have touched you, if they are inside you, then they are still yours. The only things you never really have are the ones you hold inside your heart.
As humans we are given the power to see, hear, speak, smell, move, think, and feel. But the greatest power we are granted is love. Love is happiness, smiles, hugs, and kisses. Love allows our hearts to melt together and share our souls as one. Love enhances our lives to enrich our spirit. Love has no limits. It enables us to reach up to the stars and go through great extremes. If you ever find peace and happiness holding hands with serenity and passion, it is love merrily dancing inside two hearts. I love each and every one of you, from the one who thinks I hate them the most, to the one who knows they are one of my best friends.
I will awake every day knowing, that as soon as my feet touch the ground, that what I make of it, is up to me. I will not expect anything from anyone. I will give- with no intentions of receiving. I will listen when someone just needs to talkk, I will smile at a stranger. I will be accepting of challenges. I will accept change. I will love others and myself. I will laugh whan I want to cry and smile when I want to frown. I will live each day like no other. This day belongs to me. I will value each day that I am given. I will make a difference. I will live my life and enjoy it. Take pride in how far you have come. Have faith in how far you can go, and always remember that beginnings are always scary, endings are usually sad, but its the middle that counts. Thank you all for being part of that middle.
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