A Big Thanks to my Cafe Friends

[Big Joe]

I want to thank my Cafe friends for all the kindness and friendship we have shared over the years. This is one of the few places on the 'net' that I enjoy visiting. Not for professional reasons either, but because I truly enjoy stringed instruments and the people that have the same passion as I for the instruments.

As many of you know, I must have some spinal surgery in the next few days. It is a pretty serious surgery and the surgery will take 10-12 hours according to the surgeons. I have a current fusion in the lumbar spine that has to be taken apart in the process and then the area reshaped and several levels fused together. Having been through spinal surgery a couple times before I do not look forward to this, but it has to be done.

I have been out of the shop for nearly five weeks with the injury and may be out for awhile yet. I do keep in touch with Joshua (my son) and keep up with what is going on. I have responded on the cafe and to e-mails as well as best as I can. I may be out of pocket for a bit until I can get back online.

I would appreciate your prayers during the next few weeks as I go through the surgical and recovery process. I also want to let you know your repairs and restorations will be handled with the level of expertise and quality you have always expected. Josh is an expertly trained luthier with lots and lots of experience and has worked under Charlie Derrington and a number of other top quality luthiers. I would also appreciate your keeping the work going. Josh will do a very good job for you.

Thank you for everything over the years and I hope to be back in full swing in the future.

[Dave Weiss]

Good luck to you and hurry back, I truly enjoy your posts...

[Denny Gies]

Best to you Joe. You are a great staple in the Cafe. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.

[George R. Lane]

Best of luck with your surgery and thank you for all the invaluable information you have shared with us.

[Marty Henrickson]

Joe, I haven't had the privilege of meeting you personally, but I have enjoyed your kind manner and informative posts ever since I joined the Cafe. I am praying for a safe, successful surgery, and a quick recovery for you. I look froward to maybe coming up and visiting your shop sometime in the future. It is great to hear that your business will be left in capable hands. Best wishes.

[Laird]

Wishing you a quick and full recovery!

[yankees1]

My prayers will include you tonight! Hurry back as you are a big asset to this forum!

[AlanN]

Best wishes for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery, buddy. I'll pick Slocum Hollow fer ya

[Charlieshafer]

Good luck and lots of prayers. We'll be hearing from you before you know it.

[Mandolin Mick]

God bless you Joe, I'm praying for you!

[WestCoaster]

Hi Joe

I'm not a regular poster here but always enjoy the insightful and helpful posts you deliver. I'm sorry to hear you have to undergo surgery again, and as one who has undergone spinal fusion in the past (I had eight lumber levels fused 25 years ago), I understand your apprehension, so will be thinking of you in the coming days and sending all the very best to you from Scotland for the coming times.

Looking forward to soon seeing you back on the Cafe in good spirits and better health.

Dave

[Scott Tichenor]

Joe, all the best and we hope for a speedy recovery.

Scott Tichenor

[Jill McAuley]

Wishing you all the best with the surgery and a speedy recovery Joe - your thoughtful and kind presence is one of the things that makes the Cafe so great!

Cheers,
Jill

[robert.najlis]

Best of luck, and best wishes. Our prayers will be with you.

[Clement Barrera-Ng]

Joe - I've always appreciated all of your insights and enjoyed every one of your posts. Best of luck with the surgery and recovery, and hope you'd be back soon.

[pickloser]

My best wishes for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery! I'm hoping for some more of your excellent posts while you're on the mend.
Laura

[Paul Busman]

Good luck Joe-- I work in a hospital OR and we do that type of surgery. It's no walk in the park for sure. Hang in there and you'll be better off once you're through it. Thanks for all of your great contributions here.

[Andrew B. Carlson]

All the best Joe. I'll be sure to mention you to the man upstairs. I'll pray for you too.

[Andrew DeMarco]

Much Love, Joe. See you on the flip side!

[rgray]

Best wishes, Joe. I have appreciated your informative posts and PMs and look forward to many more.

[Ed Goist]

Wishing you all the best with the surgery and a speedy recovery Joe - your thoughtful and kind presence is one of the things that makes the Cafe so great!

Cheers,
Jill

+1. I couldn't possibly put things any better than this.
Get well soon Joe!

[Eric Charles]

Joe: i really enjoy your posts and have learned a lot from you. I'm a fellow back surgery survivor, and I know how it can be. I wish you all the best.

[jaycat]

Joe, here are more good wishes from a fellow picker well-acquainted with the travails of back pain. We'll miss you while you're away, but we'll welcome you back all the more when you return.

[Elliot Luber]

May your surgeon be the Big Joe of doctoring! Our prayers are certainly with you for a speedy recovery.

[ptritz]

May all go well for you. Like so many others have said, you'll be missed here, so hurry back.