I received a personal e-mail reply from our good friend Mike Furches today. Mike as many of you know is taking a self-imposed short break from the forum. I hope he doesn't mind me indirectly breaking his fast but I believe he kind of gave me permission to do that in his reply to me. Here is part of what he said to me today and I believe this topic is a good place to place it. I am going to edit out certain things:
".....I have received quite a bit of email lately regarding the forums and individual desires for me to get back on, actually averaging about 5 each day. Right now, I am holding true to my commitment to not post for a while. I have been on lately as a visitor or guest checking out information from Fargo due to not being there with Nathan. I have not gone to any of the threads outside of Fargo related though.
I am enjoying some of the free time and many things are going on...
I haven't spoken to anyone in Kansas about this but would be good if someone posted it. I have had 3 book contracts in the last year. Hollywood Jesus Reviews of 2003 & 2004, a new book coming out by George Barna and then another Hollywood Jesus Reviews of 2004-2005. I will have several reviews in that book but the introduction is titled Movies & The Good They Can Do. I wrote about my relationship with Tyler Graebner. A link detailing more information is on The Mat at
http://www.thematforums.com/myforum/index.php?show_topic=5591&forum_id=6 In that link there is also a link to the story I wrote about Tyler. To have this as an introduction is something that I hope opens the eyes of many around the country that don't know anything about wrestling. The fact that this is the introduction and that the book is dedicated to the memory of Tyler will be something that I hope not only reflects on our sport, but on our state. What took place here is nothing short of miraculous and I would love to consider a book venture on that story. By the way, I will make nothing other than product from the book unless I purchase wholesale and then sell the book. I have committed that regarding the book with the Tyler Dedication, I will donate 100% of my profits to the Tyler Graebner Foundation.
As you can see, life goes on and I continue to have a passion for Kansas Wrestling and Kansas. I am sure that God willing, I'll be back on the forums before long. I don't know for sure when that will be because I just don't have peace about it yet. Integrity is something that is important to me, for me to maintain my integrity and show whoever it was making the comments they did .... my integrity is something I still believe in. Know this, I deeply love and miss the Forum Family. In some ways, while we are a family, those on the forums become more than a friend; they become a close family. Even today, I got a email from ...., and many others that I do and don't know. I have had numerous phone calls from all of the High School kids and others. That is amazing considering that some see no positive aspects of the “witty banter.” All encouraging me to get back on. I don't really know why, I'm just a guy who loves the sport and tries to be honest. I love God, I love my family and realize that those in the wrestling community are a part of my family. Rest assured my decision came about with actual and literal tears, but it was a decision I needed to make at the time. My grandfather used to say; “If a man ain’t got his name, he aint got nothing.” I agree with that comment. A mans’ integrity and reputation are among the only things that they will carry with them to the grave. I hope people respond to me having both when that time comes. I hope that those that I come into contact with see and know that more than they know anything else.
Thanks again for the email and kind words. They are taken closely to my heart and I appreciate them more than you ever know. Feel free to share any and all of this with others as you see fit or desire. Especially the part about the book with the dedication to Tyler."
Also thanks for the prayers, they are never taken lightly as far as I am concerned.
God Bless,
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Mike Furches
I know those of you who support Mike and the work he does for Tyler's foundation will want to support his new projects meant to benefit the foundation. I thought many of his forum friends might want an update to on how he was doing.