AIDS Memoir Helps a Sister Understand

My brother died on June 22, 1991. He died a slow, horrible death. He died of AIDS. He was 39 years old and even as I sit and write, my eyes are full of tears. He was so young and so full of life and such a wonderful man. We all miss him.

As I read The Times on June 22 of this year, I was amazed to see an article about Paul Monette (“Finding His Voice”). He, too, is dying of AIDS. He, too, is such a young man, so brilliant and so full of life.

I feel I know this man. Two years ago, during the summer, while vacationing at Lake Arrowhead, I dared myself to read his book, “Borrowed Time: An AIDS Memoir.”

What a heartbreaking experience it was. I knew as read the book, painful chapter after painful chapter, that my brother was facing what I was reading about.

My brother asked everyone in the family to read the book. I believe he was hoping we would understand better what was going on. I wish I had understood what it meant to be gay. How that would have been a comfort to my brother.

I thank Paul Monette also for his new book. Hopefully he will help many of us with our children as families face the issues of homosexuality.

ANNE HANSEN

Camarillo