Caesar, who today speaks to the parents of an AIDS victim in the first in a four-part series. Tomorrow: Growing up as the child of an AIDS victim. When Ed and Ann's daughter Linda brought her youngest son home to Bermuda for the first time, they had no idea that she was bringing home devastating news as well -- she had contracted HIV. That was nine years ago. Since then, Ed and Ann have seen Linda die and have taken on the responsibility of raising her five children -- at a time when most people their age are looking forward to retirement. Their story is layered with sadness -- but it is also a story of how faith, hope and love can overcome tragedy. The Royal Gazette spoke with the couple -- whose names, along with their daughter's, have been changed for this story -- about the experience of watching their daughter die, and how they were coping. They are not alone. From 1985 to 1999, there were 484 cases of HIV and 437 cases of AIDS reported in Bermuda. Last year, 16 people were infected with HIV and 19 new cases of AIDS were reported. For family members, the struggle with the disease begins when they hear a loved one has been diagnosed HIV positive. "It was devastating,'' said Ann. "When she told me, I gave her a hug. "It dawns on you that it is a death sentence because we knew there was no cure. "It was a trying time with what happened. This was something which we did not expect,'' said Ann as she sat in the den of the family home, surrounded by photographs of her children and grandchildren.

Linda was 23 years old when she found out she had contracted HIV. At the time, she was living between Bermuda and New York where she was attending school.

She learned she had contracted HIV after she began having complications with her eyes and doctors discovered the virus after several tests. At the time, she already had three girls and a boy, and was pregnant with a fifth child -- a boy, who fortunately was born with no traces of the virus. Eventually Linda returned home and completed courses at the Bermuda College but she later moved back to the US where she frequently became ill and suffered a stroke. Ed recalled: "My wife called me from New York and told me to go talk to (funeral director) Mr. (Leon) Amis. This happened on three occasions.'' Eventually she recovered, although she temporarily lost contact with her parents, who had taken over the care of her children by then. They found out later that she had checked into a hospice where the manager Jonathan Walker took her on and helped her to reestablish contact with Ed and Ann. Mr. Walker -- who never met the family -- worked with Ed and Ann to secure the necessary documents for their daughter to return to the Island after she had lost her travel documents. "If it wasn't for the help of a total stranger, we would have Faith delivered family from AIDS "In the end, she did a little bit to help out. Whatever she could do. She bonded with the children. We could see the love when the realisation hit her -- `this is what I did with my life'.

"We needed final closure. If she hadn't have come home the children would not have known. It was very difficult raising five children at first. They wanted to know where their mother was.'' But she added: "Her death did not really affect their lives. Their lives were not disrupted, her presence was more like a big sister.'' Through it all faith in God kept them going.

As Ed explained: "God has truly blessed us. If it wasn't for God and Jesus...'' "It was frightening at first,'' said Ann, "but God prepared me for this.'' Several years prior to her daughter's diagnosis, Ann helped care for an infant who had been infected through his mother. Because of this she gained a greater understanding of how to deal with the disease.

She said: "There is nothing to fear, as long as you are careful.'' As for the future, their eldest granddaughter is leaving for university this autumn with plans of becoming a doctor.

Her siblings are also doing well in school. Ed is optimistic about the future of each of the kids, and is counting every blessing.

"When you have lemons make lemonade,'' he said.

Although Ed and Ann have the primary responsibility for raising their grandchildren, they are thankful for the support they receive from organisations such as the Lighthouse, a hospice for patients with Aids. Also Carolyn Armstrong, Director of Support Therapy for Persons with Aids and their Relatives (Star) helped them cope and is someone they turn to for advice and help.

They also wanted to note a local Hamilton eatery which on occasions donates food to the Lighthouse.

Ann explained: "Duffy's restaurant gives its food to the Lighthouse. The Lighthouse call us to come pick it up.'' She joked: "Sometimes I don't have to cook. It's wonderful to see a restaurant supporting the cause.'' Still there are those in Bermuda who because of their fears, spread rumours and lies, which ultimately find their way back to the family.

"Fear is more than the reality,'' said Ann, "you feel shame, people make you feel bad.'' Having constant gossip only fuels the pain persons suffering HIV and AIDS endure.

"There is that mental pain that people with the disease go through. Bugging them is not the way.'' Now Ed and Ann hope they can help other parents going through the same experience.

"You can't blame yourself, you can't teach them everything,'' Ed said.

"Don't blame yourself.'' "I was feeling like a failure,'' Ann admitted. "She would tell us that `it wasn't our fault, that it was her life'.

"If it happens, take a deep breath. You can't put yourself first. Feel their pain and love them. The last thing they want is to be by themselves. Love them, and know you can be comfortable around them.'' Ed added: "Don't let them sit around. Take them places. You have to treat them right.'' Ann added: "Its a terrible burden knowing that you're going to die.'' Overall they found there were people around who cared and that they were not alone in their struggle.

"You still feel the loss,'' said Ann, "but we had great support from friends.'' "It's not as bad as it could have been. People are nice, they rallied around us. The support was there,'' said Ed.

"That reminds me of the old Bermuda -- having both good friends and neighbours.''