As I told you when I came up
and talked to you after your
speaking for our class, we are
so blessed to have you come,
as is the world to still have
you be a part of it. I can not
tell you how much I was not
only moved by your coming, but
also so drastically inspired
to really live for today. I
know that I have only met you
for a brief moment in time,
but I truly (not to sound too
weird) cherish that time. I
feel lucky to have met you,
and I hope that in time we can
become friends. I commend you
and believe in you. Hope that
we can keep in touch.
Sincerely,
Scott S.
Dear
Bob,
Some people think that a hero is someone
like a firefighter, soldier or a sports
star. Someone who is brave, honest and
invincible. After listening to you speak the
other day, I would say the true hero is you.
You are brave because you can say what you
feel and express your emotions in front of
100's of people. Living with AIDS for 23
years makes you invincible and for that, I
give you my utmost respect and thanks. I
never thought that someone could change my
outlook of life in just one hour. Out of all
the lectures and speeches I've listened to
in my life, yours was by far the best. You
give people a glimpse into the real world of
a person living with AIDS and you definitely
got through to us. You break the
stereotypical image of a
person with AIDS.
You didn't want to tell us what to do, which
made us instantly like you. Someone who has
the ability to make a group of people laugh,
cry, and think, has an amazing talent. I
wish I knew the words to say how much I
appreciate you coming to to speak. I wish
you the best of luck on the rest of your
journey through life. If I could achieve
just a fraction of what you have done in my
life, I could die happy. But for now, we
both know who the hero is.
Love, Bailey S.
I adore you! You are so hardcore, you care so much
and have a pure drive that we should all be so lucky to have. Thank you for
continually sharing and showing how far a reach your work has extended. Anyone
who believes one person can't make a difference has never truly tried to make a
difference. Your work has inspired many, and theirs in turn has inspired others.
Once you start that ball rolling, it's hard to curtail the momentum.
Keep it going. Keep fighting and know that you are just absolutely adored!
-Jen J.
To
know a real-live hero is an awesome
responsibility...a bit like knowing
an angel, This is what you are
for so many people...the lives you touch
are forever changed. You plant the most
important seed in the minds of young
and and old...this too can happen to
you! We love you and cherish you. Not
one moment of our friendship will be
wasted! Take care and you will always
be 'Our Pirate"
Marty Bell
From
the tone of
your last email,
I can tell that
you probably
want to cash
it all in. Oddly
enough, I understand.
You fought for
so long and
still continue
to fight. It
truly is "human"
to stop and
ask "is it worth
it". No one
can answer that.
The answer is
in your heart.
From what I
saw- that heart
is unique. So
unique that
most people
will never see
it or feel it.
You are correct,
you have a purpose,
you were destined
for a path in
life that is
challenging-
degrading- painful-
rewarding and
complex. I don't
blame you for
questioning
- "why me".
This is all
too much for
a "common" person.
Bob, you are
not common.
You were selected
by some higher
power to lead
a life that
teaches and
aids others.
If I look at
your life from
an unbiased
view, I can
see that you
are predestined.
Why do you think
I offered to
care for you?
I can see that
what you are
predestined
for is very
difficult. I
feel it is a
honor to be
conversing with
you. I share
these feelings
with my wife
and kids as
well. It's okay
to cry and its
okay to realize
that the road
your on is hard.
Getting back
up on your feet
is the difficult
part. That is
how your friends
and myself can
help. Use us-
abuse us...I
go back to my
nursery at work
and look at
all the faces
of the infants
that are fighting
to live-
these little
ones are miniature
versions of
you Bob. Some
do survive and
go home to loving
families. Others-
we care for
as long as they
need medical
attention. I
have a good
strong group
now Bob! They
smile and fuss
like normal
babies. In the
back of my mind
I sometimes
retreat to those
thoughts that
they will have
normal lives.
You are right
again Bob, I
don't know you
personally.
But on another
level- I know
you more than
you think. I've
learned many
tough lessons-
I've sobbed
many tears in
my life. To
you- I send
my love and
warmth. To you
I send my prayers.
Having
been Poz for over 20 years
and than having an AIDS
defining cancer 5 years ago
I seldom find someone who I
think is someone I would
like to emulate but you are
the man that now inspires me.
~ Mark
Always
enthusiastic, you
are....that's what keeps us
going. Thank you for that
energy to give all of us.
~ Valerie
A
nice view of the Hollywood Hills and the United
Methodist Church from the Kodak Theatre complex
in Hollywood, California. You can
click here for
some fun facts about the church that boasts the
20 foot AIDS Awareness Ribbon:
United Methodist Church
Facts
A
week ago on
a Saturday night,
i met you at
Mel's Diner on
Sunset in Hollywood.
Some of my friends
and I talked
to you about
your website
and so I finally
decided to go
check it out.
I am only 19,
but I understand
that this is
a serious issue.
I deeply respect
what you are
doing, and I hope that you can continue
speaking to kids and people alike,
informing them about this terrible sickness. I wrote this to you, just to let
you know someone actually cares.
Good luck with
your fight,
and God bless.
~Kenny
Bob Bowers in front of the
red AIDS awareness ribbon that embellishes the Hollywood United
Methodist Church on Franklin Avenue in Hollywood, California.
The United Methodist Church is a place that will forever remain close to my heart!
And the
Oscar goes to...
You
are the best pirate ever...NEVER F@*%IN SURRENDER
!!!!!!!!
