Bumpin' for my bud Monte.

this is beautiful.

I liked the last line best. God, if we could only practice that every single day. Thanks for reminding us to practice it on this one.
Lovely as always. Monte should be pleased.

wonderful gracielou!!! just so, so wonderful!!!

you have been "loved and loved again" ... everyone who comes in contact with you can feel that!!! you are magnificent in your grace!!!

hey girlfriend, where have you been hiding that talent of yours?????
This is quite a beauty.
'Grace' I like that. we all need grace. Where is the Monte man???

nanatehay: thank you. Really
young mung: look out the window right now and see what I'm seeing...pretty great, no?
1 Mother: my humble attempt to honor Monte's latest post:
http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=81400
suzy, my pal: Grace. Thank the heavens for grace!

OK, I'm going to leave a comment here even though I cannot find the words to describe ho wonderful that is, Gracielou.

Just so you know that I was here, and I was awed. Totally.

Thumbed.

Bill: Thanks for being here!

I am in awe of you, S, for producing such beauty.

Pretty amazing stuff from our own amazing gracielou. Beautiful!

this is very very lovely, just as Monte is a very, very lovely person :)

Thanks, grace!

What a beautiful beautiful tribute to Monte, a man who inspires so many of us. Thank you for sharing this with all of us.

a beautiful tribute, lovingly crafted, for a wonderful soul, and reflects perfectly. thanks.

And you just started writing? What will you be turning out after you've had practice? War and Peace? Gone with the Wind? I'm not worthy. YOU are wonderful!

daffodils are one of my favorites, BTW, preferably naturalized ona hillside. I miss them.

Monte is honored, as you honor your gifts.

This is why I can't stay away for too long! Exquisite! :)

I am overwhelmed with thanks for this gorgeous offering to the One who creates, loves and sustains us. I am honored that you would dedicate to me this love song to our Creator.

You and I are kindred spirits in many, many ways, gracielou. It is a pleasure to know you and to learn from you of the secrets to spending a full and awe filled life.

I believe more than anything the blessing that you and I and so many we have come to know and love here on OS share is the willingness to open ourselves to the mystery that is God.

I sometimes weep for those who insist that there is no mystery, nothing that we cannot eventually know. Those who accept the way we are wired by God can know the beauty of the unknown and wait for a later unveiling. And, like children we have the opportunity to enter into the Reign of our God.

The psalmist understood the essence of the mystery that is G0d's gift of life.

Psalm 139: 13-18

13 For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.
17 How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 I try to count them--they are more than the sand; I come to the end--I am still with you.

From one heart given to God to another, thank you.

Monte

A beautiful tribute to a wonderful soul, Gracielou. Monte is one of those fellows that renews my hope for mankind. Rated twice if they'd let me.

You are one magnificent lady and the perfect person to write a tribute to one fine man.
Standing O for that one my dear...
I'm a massive admirer (and massive tool) of Monte's as well.

Love to you both,
Greg
(rated)

gracielou! way to bring in on home with that perfect last line. I felt like cheering when I read it.

seconding mung. lovely.

Adding to the well-deserved kudos. Great!!

Monte is the guy who got me thoroughly hooked on OS. I wouldn't have stayed here except for the internal debates and discussions I have with him about things of the spirit and mind.

This is a wonderfully crafted, much deserved tribute. Did someone say you're new to writing? Good grief, why would you wait so long?

Your last lines made me think of the Shaker hymn, The Lord of the Dance.

Dance, dance wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance said He
And I'll lead you all wherever you may be
And I'll lead all in the Dance, said He.

Gracielou, this is outstanding and so nice of you to do for Monte. Love the part about the earth exploding into a million pieces and colors when Spring gives birth! Perfect!

Grace......I think we all do, and will know him.....our dear friend.
Lovely post.

I love witnessing the daily humanity on OS. This is another beautiful example of it. Who says you can't be friends with people you meet on the internet?

last couplet is going on the bulletin board - lovely!

Monte: I am pleased that you enjoyed this tribute to you. I was inspired by your post this morning. Your comment is so beautiful and touching. You just have a certain way of communicating such lovely and heart affirming messages. I thank you, with my humble offering.

Sally, umbrella, odette, maryt, and Barry: Monte is a great man with wonderful "walk the talk" characteristics. He contributes so much to the OS atmosphere and to my own daily attitude. Thanks for your kind comments.

PF: A beginner's beginner for certain. And yes, daffodills naturalized on a hillside are the best.

Tom, screamin'mama, michael, and greg: OS is a pretty great place filled with wonderful folks like you. Thanks for being here.

Sandra, jane, and o'kat: you three girls are some of my favorite OSers. I appreciate the comments.

Boan: I know what you mean about our friend Monte. I'm always excited when he sends me a link to one of his new posts. I know I'll enjoy, and think, and hopefully grow. I love the song btw!

pam, gary, lisa, and bah: Monte spreads so much good will around this community. So many positive comments and inspiration...
Thank you for stopping here and taking a moment and commenting. It is much appreciated.

"Grace"

My favorite sacrament.

Blessings.

Absolutely lovely! You did Monte proud!

This is beautiful. Thanks for pointing this poat out to me.

Connie, Cathy, and Moana: thank you.

This is wonderful,I loved this. I will dance too

This is beatiful. You are a great writer. I missed you over the holidays. Isn't it very early for daffodils?

Your name alone; I love you already
Grace is my wife's name as well and she
Is a gift from God expressly created for me
Undeserved, to be sure, for I am but a sinner
You see...

Thanks for your beautiful post!

yes you will dance !
beautiful and inspiring
( smiling , and waiting on springtime )

With this poem I can smell the very first blossoms! Enchanting!

Dolo: we'll dance together today!

mah: I have missed you something fierce girl! And yes, the crazy things...we had a couple of freaky warm weeks here over the holidays and well, they just don't know any better I guess. Today is cold! And they are gone. But..boy, did I need them when they were here. The promise of more...

Tag, trig, and M. Chariot: thank you so much for stopping by. And for your kind words. Tag - here's to your lovely Grace.

You are one heck of a good poet....

rated and enjoyed

oh, gracie, this is a stunning tribute to the miracle that is monte. he provides wisdom and comfort and spiritual guidance in the most lovely ways. as does this wondrous poem. today, i will ignore my aching back and hips and i will dance! you know from my posts that i have a contentious relationship with God. thank you for connecting me with the generosity and grace of Him. and, to monte, for doing that so beautifully as well.

love, light and gratitude!

teddy/theo and the wonderpups

T.S.: coming from a wonderful poet like you that's a pretty great compliment. Thanks!
Idaho: I've been hanging out over at your blog and love your stuff. Thanks for stopping here and for the nice words.
Teddy/theo: Ahh...sweets...some days we just gotta throw off the chains and dance, right? Love, light, and gratitude right back at ya.

Lovely, beautiful poem. Did you really see daffodils already? I'm so jealous those girls are dancing down in Georgia while their brothers Sleet and Snow are mucking up Chicago!

Absolutely, beautiful and written with such grace. Monte must be very honored to have this tribute to him.
Thank you for sharing