One year ago today I lost a friend. He has a life long illness that finally took him.

When I first met him I used to think he was encredibly naive. Thro his 20 short years he was always upbeat about life despite his chronic illness he acheived many things. He was on the board of directors for the local gay support groups. his motto was "all are welcome"

Over the years that I knew him, especially in his last years when he was sick, I learned alot from him, visiting him in the hospital, our talks about good times and the bad. He helped me realize that its ok to be who you are, not to bottle things up inside. no fake fronts, show your true colors.

He was friends with everyone. Everyone. People whom I even despised. people whom I would not be n the same room with without feathers flying. The last time I went to see him he asked me if I would be going to his funeral, I said it would be awkward for some people, he smiled at me, winked his eye and said "all are welcome"

I went. I showed my true colors. I cried in front of my Nememies. I hugged them and cried.

"All are welcome"

So my tribute to this wonderfull soul who I had the pleasure of knowing, this best sums it up.

True colors

You with the sad eyes
Don't be discouraged
Oh I realize
It's hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all
And the darkness inside you
Can make you feel so small

But I see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

Show me a smile then,
Don't be unhappy, can't remember
When I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
Shining through
I see your true colors
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful,
Like a rainbow

JB