Brushing Away The Tears

"Brushing Away the Tears" paints a portrait of a life lived with and
taken by AIDS. It is the true story of Christopher Colt's journey
through HIV/AIDS, and it is told in his own words, through his
journals and letters, and through the journals and letters of his
mother. The entries begin in 1989 when Christopher was diagnosed
with HIV and ends a few months before his death in 1992 at age
39. A budding artist, Christopher details the heartbreaking fear of
knowing that his time is limited and that his life is more than likely
coming to an end. The footnote narrative is provided by
Christopher's sister, Debbie Wilson, who holds a BA in journalism.
The subject of AIDS has been written about numerous times from a
medical standpoint, but few times from the victim's view.
"Brushing Away the Tears," written in these firsthand accounts,
stimulates the curiosity of those who wish to probe the very
personal side of coping with a terminal illness.
Christopher was a radiant star whose spirit lives on through his art
and whose story will inspire others to "live like you are dying."
This book speaks to the social stigma of AIDS without preaching or
malice and seeks to put a face on AIDS. The face is that of a man
in the prime of his life, someone who is loved by his family and
who has friends and colleagues. His story is tragic, but in the midst
of the narrative of terrible physical pain and tremendous fear, there
is humor in the writing and in the business of everyday living.
The title "Brushing Away the Tears" is derived from Christopher's
passion as an artist. Every life is painted with the artistic hand of
God, and Christopher's life was no different. He just lived his life
differently, and sometimes difference is good, especially if that
difference is family and love.