pride

July 17th, 2011

Well another pride has come and gone. Many people from many places celebrating our movement or who should be celebrating the gay movement. The bars were busy,the park was alive and the parade was a success. I usually volunteer at the festival each year, just giving back to my community during pride. I was suppose to provide safety for the main stage at the festival where Margret Cho and Christina Aguelera along with others would perform. I never made it to the festival . I apologize to the volunteers, I never went to a bar, I never saw the parade, I never joined in any festivities of this pride weekend but I must tell you it was the best pride weekend I have ever had.
carlos has been waiting more patiently than me for his release. He calls me everyday and I am able to see him on the weekends and holidays, usually Sundays is our day to visit, but this weekend I went on Saturday, waited for four hours in the sun for my hour visit with Carlos, plexiglass between us and the germ filled phone to speak in, the hour moved so fast as it always does, we talk about the future as its the future that motivates us. He was funny today, he wanted me to go see Christina Aguelera and walk around and enjoy the park, funny he would ask me to do that. "Don't stay home",he said. "O.K."but I did. I woke up on Sunday and again headed out to see Carlos. I love every minute I spend with him and I hope he realizes that. He was disappointed to hear I did nothing on Saturday night and again reiterated for me to go on Sunday, well again I stayed home and as I was watching television Carlos called and was sad that I did not have a good pride weekend and blamed himself. I smiled and simply told him there was nothing in the bars for me , there was nothing at the park for me , there was nothing in the parade for me. Pride is about being with family,friends and loved ones sharing our lifestyle and all our successes for equality. Carlos, the hour I spent with you on Saturday and the hour I spent with you on Sunday was my pride. my celebration for having you in my life. It does not get better than that....there was a pause but I heard his smile and I heard his heart and that is
why this was the best pride of my life.

Mark