Olivia Taylor

The Brighter Side of Darkness Olivia Taylor

Kimberly Vito is on her death bed dying from AIDS. The year is 1996 just before the new medications marked the decline in deaths among people with AIDS. She tested positive in 1986 when not much was known about prevention and effective medications, and there was much fear of getting infected. Her family was very supportive once they found out about her condition, and she loved them dearly. It was them she feared leaving; she did not fear death. As she reflects on her life and prepares for eternity, she is lead on a journey, by three beings in the hospital room only visible to her. A journey of forgiveness for people and events that have shaped her life. A journey of asking for forgiveness for anyone she may have hurt knowingly or unknowingly. Could she forgive everyone she needed to forgive? Could she seek forgiveness from anyone she may have hurt so she could obtain peace in the next life? She did not know the answer but her Christian values lead her to believe that to obtain Heaven was to leave all of pain and anger in this life - to forgive. Could she overcome her past? Could she defeat her demons? She knew her time had come. She knew it was her last night. She knew her body was slipping away, but before she would succumb to AIDS she had to pray to God for the salvation of her soul. At this point in her life, she believed, He was the only one who could save her. She knew it would be a long night but she was ready for the fight.