Keeping It Real

This blog is in no way a substitute for the advice of a qualified health-care provider. Because I am not an expert on the subject of HIV or AIDS, nor do I claim to be.

I am just a woman who has been blessed enough to live through my wreckless and foolish past of getting jiggy with it and not worrying about wrapping anything up. I was one of those women who made love to a person because I wanted them to love me. I know now that that's as backwards as it gets! But back then I didn't know about loving or respecting myself. I had nobody in my life to share that very important life lesson with me. They say God protects babies and fools! And for that I am thankful.

My purpose here on the blog is not to bring embarrassment upon myself or anyone else for that matter. I am merely being willing to share my life in order for someone else to hopefully learn something from it. Because when you're going though troubled times it's too easy to believe that nobody else cares or understands where you're coming from. It feels like it's only happening to you, right? Well that is wrong! Look at the record number of unintended pregnancies (CDC says 49% of all pregnancies are unintended!),  and domestic violence (is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 in the United States, more than car accidents, muggings, and rapes combined). Am I getting through to you yet?!

We have to begin talking about this stuff! And that's all I'm trying to do here is give a safe place to do just that...talk about it.

And given my experiences I am of the opinion that it starts at home, a young person learning to love him or herself enough to make healthy choices for themselves. I believe it's called values. I'm from a family that doesn't talk. I know it has to sound crazy to someone reading this, but it's true. For example, when I was a child and I questioned why something was a certain way I was always told 'because I said so'. And so when I met my husband I thought he would eventually drive me crazy!...because he is from a family of talkers. So it's been a process for us to find a balance that works for the two of us. I've always been quick with the pen and paper whereas he's quicker to want to actually talk through it.

Don't let HIV happen to you or someone you care about!

People come into your life for a reason...I really believe that. Because we can learn so much from each other if we allow it to happen. I'm getting some really good feedback to my inbox on FB. Thanks for believing in what I'm attempting to do here, it means a lot. I'm looking forward to the time when we can all be comfortable enough to post here on my blog page. I understand the reservations and the fear of being tagged or whatever. I really do. I just don't care. I read a post on FB that says if you're talking behind my back then you're in a good position to kiss my butt. So make up a username if you want too! Just stop not talking about these issues that are destroying our families and our community.