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October 28, 2004
Sharing in Charlotte
2004-10-25
The week before I left for Columbia, I found out my friend Chris Zimmerman was going to be in Charlotte for the Together in Leather event, as well as a number of other people who are part of an extended family: Lee, JP, Russ, Billy, Lady D, Vi, this particular list is ever growing. Chris suffered the lost of his partner, Bill, whom I wrote about in Tribute to Bill Brewer earlier this month. While I didn't actually participate in the event as a whole, I spent some time with some people there who meant a great deal to me, especially Chris. I'm committed to not allowing our connection to deteriorate again.
Chris, together with Lee and a wonderful dyke named Gwen held a seminar entitled "When the Collar Comes off" dedicated to sharing stories, lessons in coping, and finding closure when a relationship that has any type of dominance and submission comes ends, or changes. There was not a dry eye in the room at the end.
It was meant for me to be there that weekend, and in that room. I'm not going to get into individual's private details or explain the intricacies of the relationship that Michael and I had. Michael held a definite role in our relationship, outside of sex, in which the trust eroded due to our drug use and the dominance ended when he became imprisoned. In some ways the roles are reversed because he has to rely entirely on my decisions while I am out here, like when I send him money, books, or letters; who I have to contact on his behalf, selling stocks, or decisions about the house.
I am willing to swear that Bill Brewer, wherever or whatever he is right now, made it possible for me to find out about the weekend and Chris's presence in Charlotte. Chris needs to know that he has my love and support. I need to know about his, and others', like Lee. I also needed to participate in that seminar, and meet Gwen, with whom I spent some quality time later on.
I have no intention of letting these ties fall away.
Posted by Bastique at October 28, 2004 11:12 AM