Hey guys, so sorry I disappeared again (edit most of original post was cut off)

[revspipes]

Hey friends last time I talk to you I had a lot going on and all of that happened. On December 3 I had back surgery because of the situation and the fact that I am an athlete they decided the best course of action for L5 S one joint was to go in through the front. This meant they made an a hey friends last time I talk to you I had a lot going on and all of that happened. On December 3 I had back surgery because of the situation and the fact that I’m an athlete they decided the best course of action for L5 S one joint was to go in through the front. This meant they made and the incision across my abdomen they moved all of my guts out of the way they spread my spine and they put a titanium spacer in between the two vertebrae. In the back of the abdomen one on each side there are two extremely large blood vessels after putting the titanium spacer in one of those blood vessels gotten nicked. They couldn’t finish the the surgery as it took 45 minutes to stop the bleeding and my life was in danger. Then I had to stay another five days and get surgery for L4-L5 then.

Having come so close to dying made me a bit philosophical. I want to get back to doing the things that give me life. Especially making pipes again. It is gonna take a while as I am going to be recovering and in pain for a long while. I also lost over $2,000 in briar to wood boring beetles. I hope some of you may be interested in that.

I am a lot different than most of you here, and my theology and politics make many of you here angry. However you have always cared for me, and been supportive.

I am also starting a church soon, more like a normal church than any I have done in the last 30 years.

May the creator, the great liberator and the lover of all bless you with creativity, abundant freedom and a growing love for all especially the least of these in the name of Jesus the Christ amen.

John

[hugodrax]

Hey friends last time I talk to you I had a lot going on and all of that happened. On December 3 I had back surgery because of the situation and the fact that I am an athlete they decided the best course of action for L5 S one joint was to go in through the front. This meant they made an a hey friends last time I talk to you I had a lot going on and all of that happened. On December 3 I had back surgery because of the situation and the fact that I’m an athlete they decided the best course of action for L5 S one joint was to go in through the front. This meant they made and the incision across my abdomen they moved all of my guts out of the way they spread my spine and they put a titanium spacer in between the two vertebrae. In the back of the abdomen one on each side there are two extremely large blood vessels after putting the titanium spacer in one of those blood vessels gotten nicked.

Oof. Praying, brother. I think we all have been.

[JimVH]

Still praying, rev.

[Bloodhound]

Still praying, rev.

[Goose55]

[GaryInVA]

Praying for you Rev.

[coco]

Praying

[wosbald]

+JMJ+

Praying

[sweetandsour]

+JMJ+

Praying

Prayers for healing, and recovery. Or vice-versa perhaps.

[Sir Moose]

+JMJ+

Praying

[John-Boy]

Praying

[JudgeRusty]

Thanks for the update.
Prayers.

[TNLawPiper]

I’m glad you’re back, rev. I’m sorry to hear about all the trouble. I pray things continue to get better and that your recovery is not too arduous.

[SlowToke]

It's great hearing from you, John. I've always appreciated your unique perspectives. Sorry to hear about your back troubles. I'll pray you have a speedy recovery and can get back to the martial arts you so love. I'm glad to hear that you're planning on getting back into making pipes as well. It would be great to see you again and hang out perhaps at a future pipe show if that ever gets put into the works. I enjoyed hanging out with you a few years ago. I don't care what Quincy "Danger" Worthington says, I think your an alright guy. (PS. you come up in conversation every now and then between Quincy and I; always in a positive manner.)

[mustangii]

His will be done, Amen.

edm

[TNLawPiper]

I miss revspipes. Has anyone heard from him?

[Del]

Oof! I missed this thread last year.

I got to meet revspipes at Chicago a few years ago. Wonderful fellow, as you can all expect.

In real life -- he just might be the gentlest scary guy that I've ever met. Or the scariest gentle guy that I've ever met. Kind of what I image meeting Jesus might have felt like.

[Jocose]

I miss revspipes. Has anyone heard from him?

[revspipes]

I have!

It’s been a hard year. Lost my mma gym because of CoVid. Raquels employer sold the property and she is losing her job. The good news is I am making pipes again and she starts her new job on the 15th of April, as well as getting a very generous severance package. I am also not in pain everyday. Wrestling with 20 somethings daily was apparently hard on my body... who knew?