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Craig Gadson (January 15, 1961 - May 19, 1996) was an extraordinary man, friend and make-up artist.
Craig fought the disease and the stigma with an elegance and courage that still amazes me. When I asked Craig why he wanted to continue with drug trials and drug cocktails that would clearly never benefit him or extend his life, he said it was for the future, it was for my children and my children's children.
I knew Craig was tired. I just couldn't imagine a world without him, so I raged at anyone in my path at Saint Vincent's Hospital that May night. Craig just laughed at me and then in his deep voice told me to "... take an Ativan if you have to, find some Chardonnay but get it together and fluff up, girl!”
Hours before his death, Craig made his mom and me promise to wear white to his funeral and, he asked me to do his make up because he didn't trust anyone else to make sure his foundation was a flawless cocoa brown.
Craig refused to die in front of us but we couldn't bear to leave so we took turns getting him water and fluffing his pillows. Finally, he said you have to go so I can go. His mom and I kissed him a thousand times and then we went home.
10 days later, I was in the funeral home with the make up kit Craig used on countless jobs, painting his face ... "Fluff up, girl!"
🎶 And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars,
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star 🎶 The Impossible Dream
— by Karen Alexander
ig/theaidsmemorial
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