Its World AIDS Day and we remember with sadness the grandmothers, grandchildren, orphans, users, widows, brothers, doctors, educators, lovers – the endless string of humanity affected by this disease and its effects over the last three decades. And we can look, with mixed feelings, at the progress and the challenges ahead.

President Obama has pledged $50M in the fight at a time when public expenditures are hard to make. This is cause for celebration. And we feel the lump in our throat knowing that the Global Fund faces shortages it needs to advance country-level progress. We see life expectancy rise in many nations. And we see infection rates rise with them. We see children’s lives returning to a semblance of normalcy as they repair in the wake of loss or infection at birth. We also see absurdly short lives in the datelines of gravestones.

HIV/AIDS remains a combative, illusive, painful trial for humanity. And still, we have to hope.

Today, President Obama, Bono, and former presidents Bush and Clinton laid out their optimistic passion and ideas for how this generation can move us toward an AIDS-free world – why we’re at the beginning of the end of AIDS (catch the webcast here). Tomorrow you and everyone you know can start working in ways large and small to help make AIDS history. Join RED or join a another organization or join with us. Just do – or keep doing – something!

As always, I remain hopeful and in awe of the spirit of tenacious compassion that exemplifies this community. It has been an honor and thrill to work with the thousands of young people and countless educators who have powered the Global Peace Tiles project and our modest efforts to bring creativity, education, healing, and advocacy to this work. Thank you, and stay strong.

lars