MasoniaTraylor's blog

I'm willing to make the mistakes. It may not feel good when I do, however I learn so much from those mistakes.

How were you when your kid(s) left for college? I'm processing so much!! Like did I teach him as much as he needed? Was it enough?

Respectfully that ship has sailed. I've fought something bigger in the last 2+ years and found something even greater within myself. I don't like for people to whisper "HIV" to me- nah... say it with your chest. It's not a SITUATION, it's a diagnosis. If it were cancer, you'd say cancer, so call a spade a spade, and IF I decide you're worthy of a response about it based on your genuine ask, I will respond appropriately. I am a vessel. I am going through more than HIV. I have survived more than managing HIV. HIV is a part of my legacy but it's not my character, personality, or complete...

Ever since I was little I have LOVED talking. Being an effective communicator meant that I could get candy, hugs, and laughter. I have always valued this. Now as I’ve gotten older I realize that when I’m hurting or trying to understand something, I get quiet. Right! As talkative as I am, yes, I most definitely get quiet. I’ll talk to someone for hours and then I’ll get quiet for days, even weeks or months on end. Now blogging is like talking on paper - like journaling. I’ll do it to express but I find it so complicated to do it when I’m not in a good purposeful I GOT SOMETHING TO SAY space...

Seeing how free people felt about sharing their COVID results but knowing if it were HIV they wouldn't - well DON'T - do the same.

I can't wait to share with y'all all the ish I've been going through! I'm not about to let 10 years of surviving HIV end with me just popping out the ground only talking about HIV.

You know life can be so heart-wrenching difficult. In my most recent days I've had to look at life from a new lens.

Wuddup 2020! I welcome you with grace and steadiness. I'm looking forward to embracing any and all experiences with ease. I understand that I have been granted the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, given the courage to change the things that I can, and have the wisdom to know the difference. I'm certain that hardships will arise because when we choose to live life abundantly, we know and accept that every moment does not feel like sunshine. I'm welcoming ONLY QUALITY PEOPLE and I'm intentionally spending time with them because if anyone understands that life can be short, it...

Dear 2019, I did some BIG things in a simple way. I learned what it means to truly have a genuine heart and how to listen to it more.

As I watched all of my work brothers and sisters meet at USCA 2019, I couldn't help but be in awe of the comradery. It was beautiful. For the first time I saw soooo many women of color and youth together. USCA this year made me realize that filling out the survey at the end of the conference just like at Positive Women's Network conference makes your voice heard more than you know. I felt like my voice was heard and many others. I advocated for more opportunities for straight men to be there and scholarships were given priority to them. I advocated for youth to have more involvement and...