Triad Health Project Dining for Friends

As many of you are aware, I was diagnosed with AIDS back in 2003.  The doctors called my family in and told them I may not make it through the night - yet here I am 10 years later, living a happy, healthy life. God had a plan and was not done with me here yet.  I can look back now and see that my diagnosis has been a blessing in my life.  While I would not wish the disease on anyone, my life has been enriched in so many ways and I am blessed to have this second chance at life.

Triad Health Project does amazing work in our community - HIV education, Family and Survivor support groups, Patient counseling, and supplementing medical expenses for those living with this disease.  

Dining for Friends is a community event held each year to raise funds for Triad Health Project.  I hosted an event for 5 years but since I began running the Opens National Championships for USA Volleyball, I am always gone during this event that means so much to me.  I am using this approach to try and raise funds for this wonderful organization that has been so instrumental in my life.  

Please consider making a donation and rest assured that 100% of all donations will be sent to Triad Health Project in May to support their many efforts in our community.

I wanted to share a poem I wrote with all my special friends in mind:

Thank You My Friend !

Thank you, friend, for all the things you do,
That enrich my life every day,
For your concern and understanding,
For your abundant giving,
For encouraging my dreams, I thank you.

Thanks for listening with your heart,
And warming my heart with your love,
For cheering me when I'm blue, 
For challenging me for my best, 
For accepting me for who I am, 
And for loving me regardless, I thank you.

Thank you for our caring conversations, 
That teach and stimulate the mind,
For silly times when we laugh out loud, 
For overlooking all my faults, 
For many things I can't explain, I thank you.

Thanks for opening your heart and, 
Sharing a portion of your life with me,
For all the smiles we've shared, 
For standing with me in good and bad times, I thank you.

Friend, You shelter me from life's frequent storms, 
You're a light in my window, when all seems dim, 
Like a bright, sunny summer, you are joy without end, 
And I'm so very privileged to call you my friend.