And The Angel Spoke, 6/21/14

My 80 year old friend John Fortier is a remarkable man. He is husband to Michele for well over 50 years and a father, grandfather, and a great-grandfather, as well as a retired school teacher who continues to volunteer his teaching skills.

In addition, John is a Korean War Veteran who is a longtime peace activist. For example, since March of 2003, just before President Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq, each week John has been on the same Redondo Beach, CA street corner along Pacific Coast Highway conducting his peace vigils for he knows first hand the horrors and devastation of war.

Yesterday as my wife Anne and I were headed home in a taxicab from LAX returning from Vancouver, we were going to surprise John at his peace vigil. But the surprise was ours. John almost never misses a peace vigil, but he and his signs and peace flag flapping in the breeze were nowhere to be seen.

We were immediately concerned and when we arrived home, there was a phone message from a deeply shaken Michele telling us John had been taken to the hospital, but the message provided few details. We left a message for Michele.

At 1:50 am I was awakened by a strong female spiritual voice that said, "He had six strokes."

This morning at about 9:30, I spoke with Michele who explained what had happened which included a doctor expressing the opinion that John may have had a stroke. He remains in the hospital as they continue to conduct various tests.

Michele will keep us informed and let us know when it is appropriate to visit John. When she described his symptoms, they were physical and included some confusion as well. We hold John and Michele and their family in our hearts and will pray for them.

I didn't tell Michele of the spiritual voice that had spoken to me in the wee hours of the morning.

I believe John may have suffered a series of smaller strokes called TIA's that could have led to a bigger stroke. Some of the TIA's could have happened well in advance of this major incident but were not detected.

We hope for John's full recovery. He is such a goodhearted and giving man, that he makes this world a better place by his presence.

Dick
6/25/14 The hospital released John with no definitive diagnosis. But last night John and Michele saw his doctor who firmly believes John had a TIA. They are scheduled to see this doctor again in two weeks and he warned them that 10% of the time, within 2 or 3 weeks a TIA can lead to a massive stroke.

I can't speak for Anne but John and Michele are very much in my prayers and I hope he makes a full recovery. He is steadfast in his peace vigil and plans to be out there as usual this Friday, in just 2 days.

Dick

6/26/14 This morning at about 5:30 am I began praying for John and Michele, their son Johnny and the other members of their family. How fortunate I am to have such good friends as John and Michele and I hope the world and I can have them for a lot longer.

Dick