Amok fish
The silence instilled so much in the air and in my heart. I looked around the hundreds of people gathered this early morning on a Sunday. We all got out of bed and turned out to show our support and solidarity in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
It's the third (or fourth?) walk I've taken part in. The first was weeks after I first arrived in Canada. I saw an ad on the metro, and made a point to join. It was moving, as it is today, five years on. It's become an annual ritual for me to remember those millions who struggle every day to maintain their lives, or even to just get their hands on precious medicine to slow the onslaught of the terrible illness.
Ça Marche was initiated some twenty years ago by this local businessman who was diagnosed with AIDS in 1992. He died a year later. However, his family, and mainly his mother, has been continuing this event for the past 21 years. Today, even at 88 years old, she still stood on stage and spoke with so much determination and hope that the money raised will help towards finding a cure, or at least bettering the lives of so many around the world.
I looked around, and so many families, children, men, heteros, homos, of all backgrounds and races all gathered here today. In the distance a children's choir sang a moving song in French about hope, giving and caring for others.
My little teddy bear walked with me, and on his chest a little red ribbon in solidarity.
In memory of those who have passed away...
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