#EatYourColors

Eda "Curly" Minerva

Eda Minerva has fast become one of my most-special friends. We have met on social media but have moved passed the digital sphere and met “in-person” various times. In fact, she is probably the only friend I have carefully spent time with, 2 years into the Pandemic.

We have met and spent a day at the Bronx Zoo together with her 3 younger children and I plan to meet her mother as well. After meeting her 2 older children, I instantly felt connected and protective of them. Their personalities are so endearing.

Eda Minerva, known as Curly or Curly E in social media circles, has gone out with me to breakfast during the day and Drag Shows at night. It feels like we have known each other for years and when we speak on the phone a few times a week, we are constantly sharing, laughing, crying and celebrating life’s little achievements.

Okay- let’s get past the obvious. This single-mother of 5 is very beautiful. I don’t just mean her luxurious curly hair, the almonshaped eyes or the pretty smile that lights up the space. I’m talking about her quiet-natured personality, how her pretty shape moves when she enters a room and the way she laughs and expresses herself when she speaks her mind. THAT PART! Jajajaja

But there’s another side to this gentle soul. I see when she thinks I’m not watching her. A quietness, a stillness clouds her eyes. Eda Minerva seems to step inside another space where her memories and aspirations seem to collide yet connect to one another.

I caught her looking off once and asked “Where did you go?” She felt comfortable enough to share that her thoughts often turn to her beloved brother, Harold. Brother Harold is the reason why Eda Minerva walks for GMHC’s AIDS WALK NEW YORK (AWNY)- the world’s largest and most-visible HIV/AIDS fundraiser event.

“GMHC and their various programs has made my Brother Harold’s last years so comfortable. They provided him (and countless others) with a home, groceries and health care. If it weren’t for those programs, I know my Brother would not have left this world with the dignity that he did.

That’s why I walk and do all that I can to support GMHC’s AWNY as a way of given back to organizations that have truly made such a difference in my Brother’s life.

Now others will be given the same assistance, support and hopefully live with a bit more dignity because of my efforts, my Team’s efforts and all the Teams & Individuals raising funds for AWNY.

I think that’s what my Brother Harold felt during his last days- dignity. I believe he felt that a force outside of his family and faith, looked after him, cared about him and that he was not a throw-away person just because he contracted a life-threatening disease. If I can help GMHC / AWNY continue to provide their so-needed efforts for others, then that’s what I’m going to do.”

Eda Minerva said that one day, she’d like to share the reason(s) why she walks for our EYC Readers. We set a date and that day has arrived. We agreed to have a late breakfast (or early lunch?) at one of my favorite places to eat- Coppelia’s Cuban Restaurant in the heart of Greenwich Village, NYC. I ordered the Hash de Costilla (short ribs) and Eda ordered the Huevos Rancheros. After a few sips of the best Café con Leche we got right into it.

Eda, I know why you walk, but when was your very 1 st AWNY Walk and when was that? I reconnected with a childhood friend, Clarissa on social media. Let’s see- that must have been back in 2013. She invited me to join her after I told her that my Brother has passed of HIVrelated complications.

What year did your Brother Harold pass if you don’t mind me asking? That was back in 2002- WoW! That was 20 years ago now. But it might as well have been yesterday- the loss is still so tremendous. However, I do take comfort that my Brother was happy towards the end of his days. That would not have been possible without GMHC.

Ah- so that’s when you started walking with Team Infinity? No- Clarissa had a different Team. I started walking with Team Infinity in 2016. Ah Okay- so then your close family friend Luis started Team Infinity in 2016? Nooo- Luis started Team Infinity in 2011. I joined his Team about 5 years later in 2016. Okay, okay. I think I got it now.

Yes- with Team Infinity, I am able to honor my brother and walk with my friend Luis. Now, he’s more like a family member. My Mother, my Siblings and my Kids all know him and love him. Luis is very close with my family. In fact, my immediate family and some extended family members walk with Team Infinity.

In this way, I am still walking for Family as well as with family, so you know it’s a beautiful mess of all of us smiling, laughing and crying.

And your children, you say they walk too? Yes- all of my wonderful kids support and join the walk for AWNY. It’s so sweet to see them all believe in the cause. Acceptance and advocacy are a huge part of our lives and from a very early age, my children have been Supporters. It also keeps them connected to my Brother Harold, their Uncle Harry. It’s like they share a special bond.

Okay wait- but your children have never actually met their Uncle Harry, right? That’s what makes it all so special, you see? There’s a closeness to their Uncle that defies explanation. For example, my Joseph- he’s very inquisitive and asks deep questions about his Uncle.

I believe there has always been a kinship between themlike my Brother is right here watching over him. I am so grateful for that closeness that they share. That truly is remarkable! Again, to feel that close to someone that he has never actually met is incredible. But he has met him, don’t you see? It’s just that they met in a spiritual way, on a different plane so to speak. I believe my children as well as the rest of my family can feel my Brother Harold around them. It’s very strange that feeling. It’s also very beautiful- that energy, that force- you know what I mean? I don’t know, I can’t explain it.

You explained it perfectly and I know exactly what you mean and what you are saying. It is very simple really… that’s just the Power of Love.

*here come the tears again

“Team Infinity is built on friends & family. In life there are infinite possibilities, some can bring people together for a common goal. We all have our personal reason(s) for walking, but our mission stays the same. We walk together, united, remembering our friends & family and helping those in need while educating others.” - Luis