Take it seriously and then laugh

No, he did not ask. No, I do not know him. Still, here I sit writing a prelude to his event because it is packed with the promise to remind us of our human abilities to cope, to open our heart and for not a penny or a reason to LAUGH. I immediately trusted the instincts of Detail Gallery owners to invite acclaimed author Shawn Decker to Rehoboth Beach for a book signing and reading October 14. Less than a page into his book, I trusted the author himself.

It did not hurt that his—thankfully premature—dying wish was to meet Depeche Mode. Nor that Nirvana was a close second. Call me an 80s girl, but I was impressed. They clearly told him to Rock On. Decker has rocked on by beating the odds in a life threatened by both hemophilia and HIV. Call me more impressed.

The overwhelming power of the book, My Pet Virus strikes early.

Unfortunately, so did Decker’s diseases. Diagnosed as a toddler with hemophilia, his fragile body lacked the VIII clotting protein and required repetitive blood transfusions.

Tainted blood from those transfusions would cause acceleration in his disease and lead to another—the then unspeakable one. Having to learn the term "compromised immune system" at age 11 just can not be fun yet with miraculous strength, Decker makes it funny.

"Personally, I don’t mind pimping my pet virus," quips the comedic memoirist, "Meds are expensive and this virus has freeloaded off its host too long!"

Lacing intellect with humor is a talent—accomplishing it in the face of tragic adversity raises it to art.

This art drew the attention of Detail Gallery owners Thomas Boeke and Michael Muller when they met in Charlottesville several years ago. That relationship led to drawing Decker to the offbeat venue of Rehoboth Beach as he planned his national book signing tour. The 10 city tour began in September with his hometown of Charlottesville and on to NYC, DC, San Francisco, LA, and Philly. Sound like a gay/lesbian oriented tour? Not so much. His dedicated wife Gwenn is by his side. Both of them are reminders that diseases do not have boundaries such as those associated with HIV. And that we should all choose to care.

"Shawn really wanted to include Rehoboth Beach because of our friendship but more importantly the work we do through CAMPsafe programs," said Muller.

My Pet Virus was delivered to stores loaded with a case of great critical acclaim. Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal have already deemed it one of the most significant reads of the year. In the words of author John Berendt, "Shawn takes on a deadly topic with astonishing grace. Enlightening, compassionate, hilarious."

Boeke and Muller chose to partner with CAMP Rehoboth and Lambda Rising to host the book reading at the gallery not just to promote Decker and his messages, but also to expand the concept of the gallery being a gathering space beyond just a visual artist space. They are planning future events, including music, other book events, and poetry.

"The book speaks to us in its humanity and humor. It celebrates the ups and downs and diversity of life, and the story becomes more universal due to the challenges faced, accepted and overcome. We see and reflect on ourselves better through his words and honesty," said Boeke.

For me, it reminds that whether medical or financial, emotional or physical we all confront the moment of reacting with fight or flight. With inherent dramatic and comedic skill, Decker demonstrates executing those decisions with exuberant style and admirable resilience.