But there was something unusual about this vigil. The day before, John had surgery, in which two of his four para thyroid glands were removed. He remained overnight in the hospital and got out shortly before he began this vigil, still feeling the impact of his surgery.
His seven inch surgical scar was fresh, his throat was sore from having tubes placed down it, he was on pain medication, and it was difficult for him to use his larnyx, which means it was hard to speak.
Yet there he was for more than two hours on that street corner, his peace flag flapping in the breeze and his War Is Not The Answer sign with his military metals attached in front of him. Next to that sign was another sign, this one in Spanish objecting to war, in Spanish out of respect for Spanish speaking people, some of whom are called upon to fight the U.S.'s now endless wars.
What follows are John's remarks. His reference to me is that I was there with him for nearly a half hour of his peace vigil. In addition, Barbara, another peace activist was also there. What I witnessed was numerous horn honks, two fingered peace signs and shout outs of support for his peace vigil, which in itself, uplifted John's spirits.
Where John makes reference to Johnny, it is to his nearly 50 year old son, who has had numerous surgeries, starting from birth, as a result of severe birth defects.
With his characteristic sense of humor, John writes warmly of his surgical experience. But as a man who has experienced the horrific brutality of war first hand, he rarely misses conducting a peace vigil to appeal to peoples' consciences with the hope of ending the U.S.'s wars.
Well, you certainly put the icing on the cake yesterday, Dick. Thank you.
The
most uncomfortable part of the last 24 hours was getting my head carefully
situated on my pillow about 1 am.
It
felt like it weighed 100 pounds, all by itself, and the neck might tear off.
Once it found its place, I slept till 4, took another pill and slept like an
innocent till an hour ago.
Now
it's fine, and recalling yesterday on the corner, you and the whole experience,
- I feel great.
I'm
going over to Johnny's and compare scars as soon as I ingest something. The
pictures, if we remember to take some, will be family curiosities for future
generations.
The
good doctor used super-glue so it looks like a seven inch incision is just a
flabby neck. Clever guy. He
seemed very pleased when he checked his work the next morning. Michele too, and
that's what counts, right ?
Enjoy
the day, Dick, and my regards to la esposa, please.
Gratias
~
John
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