On Sunday, Joe Thomas returned home from the hospital where he had lung surgery. Pat Moriarty went to Mobile for a few days to help Joe through his first days back home. Pat asked me to forward this to Joe's many colleagues. Doris Hahn Dear Colleagues, I am reporting in from Mobile Alabama from Joe's condo. Joe is in great spirits and as come through his surgery with flying colors. He is already up and about, we have just returned from the store with a coffee stop at Starbucks. To be sure this operation, having removed one third of his right lung, was no cake walk. He said, "I thought I had a rock for an uncle; maybe it was that I had a rock, that made me scream 'uncle'." I have been reminded on seeing Joe that a more indefatigable spirit does not walk the planet. Besides having a smile that has lit up a thousand rooms he has the constitution of a Bull Moose. Joe is one tough cookie. I met Joe in my Junior year in college 43 years ago on the campus of the a University of Washington (remember 222?). That commenced a friendship that has taken us on a journey that has matched anything JRR Tolkien wrote about in the Lord of the Rings, Joe and I have been to Mordor and back on more than one occasion, and in so doing, discovered the true meaning of friendship and full fellowship. Joe has travelled with many and therefore there are many who have been touched by his's unique and uncanny ability to share the depth of himself with them His phone has been ringing off the hook. So I report that from my vantage point in Mobile Joe is doing remarkably well even though he is experiencing a fair amount of pain. He does love getting your email messages and his heart is filled with gratitude for your love and support. His email is jrthomas42@aol.com. Affectionately, Pat