A poem, My way of remembering Dusty

alwaysexploring: You've done me a service with this poem, giving me the seed from which to grow tonight's Hub...if I can put it together in the next couple of hours. If not, we'll skip a night and go for tomorrow night.

Dusty's compassion was legendary, as much so as his his rejection of those following the Dark Side.

This page needs to see the light of day. I'll be posting a link to it on my tribute Hub, and at the top of the list at that.

Aauuww, Ruby, this is a beautiful tribute to Dusty. Here is his own words to me: ".... as for my friends..... they are gay and openly so, I have no problem with it either. If they were married I spose it would be a 35 year relation, better than most of society can do.... "

Dusty is the first online friend of mine that has passed away. So it is a bit hard for me to come to terms, and especially because I cannot physically attend a funeral or service of a kind - a reality that enables closure. Though these kind of beautiful tributes to Dustin - as he often called himself - seems to be appropriate and sufficiently comforting.

Thanks, Ruby. (I plan to follow your example after my short holiday in Durban.)

Take good care of yourself, Ruby, and just for in case you don't know, I will be devastated the day you follow Dusty, but, of course, I know I know that only God is the Master of Life and Death. Whether we believe in him or not, we cannot take this power away from Him. Love you, Ruby!

Thank you always for this lovely tribute to Dusty. It made me cry but I was doing that anyway. My tears are happy tears, tears for Dusty that he is with God and not hurting anymore. Bless you dear heart friend.

HI Ruby, I just recently heard about Dusty's passing and was taken back to another time. Such a beautiful tribute you have written. God Bless and and happy holidays

I did not know he had passed, this is a wonderful tribute to him. I always looked forward to his comments whenever came to my hubs. He will be missed.

Good morning Ruby - this is beautiful. We have each in our way tried to come to peace with the shocking news that one of our own has been laid to rest. I keep reading how each of us was touched by Dusty. I think inturn that each of us touched his heart. I will forevermore think of him fishing for trout near a quiet stream and having a beautiful breakfast.

Amen Ruby

Like the Parable of the Blind Men and the Elephant, we all see Dusty for the friendship and acceptance he gave to us an individuals.

I am not at all surprised that Dust supported you through your painful loss, as he was the epitomy of acceptance and unconditional love of his friends.

Your expressions are truly beautiful and I feel that Dusty is already so aware of how he touched us. Love, Maria

This was a lovely, touching tribute to Dusty, Ruby, and I like to think he may be sharing it with all his friends above. Blessings to you, m'dear.

Awesome words Ruby. So beautiful and from your heart, shared by so many like you who loved him. Hugs and tissues.

So very sorry for your loss Ruby. I sent spirit hugs your way and prayers of strength to help get you through. I think we all could use one. We have our memories and this will be forever.

Shalom.

I didn't see Dusty often, Ruby, but when I did he made it count. He always left me feeling I had encountered a compassionate soul that understood. I miss him, too, just knowing that I won't be privy to anymore of his beautiful stories that always held random acts of kindness. I am incredibly fortunate to been graced by his visits and will go back often to the places where he walked in my space when I want to hear him talk to me.

This is a beautiful tribute, Ruby, and I know Dusty and God see the love you put into words. Thank you for sharing your emotive thoughts, Ruby. Love from St. Lou from me to you

Ruby you've made Dusty proud and he is smiling down at you from above, heck maybe even riding his brand new shining gold jeep or riding a black stallion or a proud strong mule. I can't say enough about the tributes that have been written about him and you did a wonderful job with yours. I know you were close to him and chatted with him at Emerald Wells as did others there. He will be sadly missed here at the hubs, yet he left us a legacy to remember him by and I will frequent his hubs often to remember him by. Thank you my sweet poet for your excellent and heart wrenching tribute to our comrade. May he RIP or be giving it hell up there with all his other comrades not in arms but with beautiful angels wings as their crowning glory. Hugs

Although I did not have the distinguished pleasure to cross Dusty's path, this hub created tears in my eyes. That is a good thing because your respect and love for your friend is so impressive and pure of heart. I send my sympathies for the loss of your dear friend Dusty.

Blessings my wonderful friend.

Nice hubs about Dusty !

Thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute.

God Bless you always exploring . Sorry for your loss. I never met Dusty but I sure wish I did. He sounds like an angel and now he is one.

He sounds like an amazing man - i sooo wish i'd have met him! He also sounds like the republicans of yester-year - the SANE ones! I do wonder where they have gone - I did so respect them for that...

Anyways, dear - this is just a beautiful tribute to what clearly was a much-loved hubber!

i miss him and i never even knew him...(OY..)

Your heart shines here, my friend!

Lol..don't think i don't have a few idee's up my sleeve, but - i'm heading to flo'da tomorrow to see my fyrfytr..

canNOT wait..lol

Hi Ruby... the entire hubbing community is in mourning especially those who knew the man behind the words. Crusty, yet soft spoken, short but he walked tall, quiet and yet when he spoke he did so with authority and conviction.

We mourn with you my friend...

Hus and Blessings

Heart rending and beautiful ;I know our dear friend is watching over and loving all the tributes. Take care Ruby and i wish you a wonderful day,

Eddy.

Voted up and beautiful. Such a wonderful and touching tribute to Dusty. He will really be missed. Hugs.

Very original Ruby. So much heart. I love your writing because you never know what you will read next. Voted up. :)

Dearest Ruby,

Thank you for writing such a beautiful hub in memory of our sweetest friend Dusty. He was full of compassion and love and we were so blessed to have known him.

God bless you Ruby,

Love,

Sunnie

I did not know Dusty but is evident that he left footprints of love upon the trails of many hubbers. Sympathy to you each in the loss of this friend.

A beautiful tribute Ruby.

Dusty was a man with a big heart, a big appetite and a very sweet tooth.

Here is part of a comment he left on for me

" I may have a recipe for "Mississippi Mud" if I remember there is 2 pounds of sugar and chocolate between the mud and topping. I do have a strawberry cake that is loaded with sweets and they are best when they fall a little floor stomping or oven smacking causing the "Tilt" lights like a pinball game to light up my eyes as I sneak a peak to see the center caved in to a moist mess of sugary goodness!"

I just know he will be up there now enjoying some such dessert and smiling.

Well said Ruby. We are all God's children.

Graham.

Ruby-I'm so sorry for your loss. I am also sorry to say that I didn't know this hubber...it appears that he was a gracious and compassionate human being. I am glad that he is free of pain now. Thank you for this wonderful tribute to him. God bless you. ((((Hugs))))

Aw, this was so beautiful and is another tribute to Dusty that shows the depths of his compassion.

Thanks for sharing it.

Voted up across the board except for funny.

Yikes Ruby! This felt like a family member who left actually the building. Dusty is at ease now walking that paradise that he always talked about. He lived thorugh wars and pain. His soul is at rest now. Thanks for writing this eloquent and emotional tribute.

A wonderful tribute to a man who so obviosuly touched your heart, i am sorry to hear of your loss, he sounds like a man who brought much light to those around him

...well it takes a beautiful person to write about a beautiful person.

I had the honor and privilege of getting to know Dusty through our comments to each other in just the last four months - our paths had finally crossed and better late than never.

Thank you Ruby for being the angel of beauty that you are to all of us - you inspire us and just make us feel better about ourselves. George Jones sits here strumming his guitar with a tear in his eye and singing a lullaby to you Ruby my dear ....... sending you warm wishes and good energy from lake erie time ontario canada 10:54pm with our first snow on the ground - and it's staying.

I meant to give my condolences on this tribute to Dusty, when I noticed you had published it Ruby, however my sentiments are not late... a sad loss of a 'real person' is always tragic... I think you best summed up 50 Cal... in your opening paragraph:

"my friend Dusty"

Much respected RIP Dusty... and thank you Ruby for your heart and words... take care... PD

Hi ruby, this is such a wonderful tribute to our Dusty, I was so shocked when I found out that he had gone. I remember spending a whole evening just reading his hubs and smiling, he didn't realise what a great writer he was, such a shame, take care nell

What a beautiful tribute to Dusty. I didn't know him but feel like a got to know him through your beautiful poem. He sounds kind and compassionate and it sounds like he had a positive impact on so many. Thanks for sharing!

Dear Ruby-My eyes fill with tears as I read this precious tribute to our beloved Dusty. I was so touched to hear about how he came to your aid when you were being treated harshly by critics. He was a good man with a extraordinary soul and we will miss him dearly. God Bless and know that he's watching over the hub gang.

Ruby, it's good to share in each others' respect and love of our Dust, with our sense of loss at his passing. He was such a whole person, wasn't he? I feel deprived that he's gone. Hugs to you.

You have a way of making me cry, darn it! What a beautiful tribute to Dusty! He touched you deeply and his message transcends through you. I couldn't think of a better person to carry on his gracious message.

I know what you mean. I can't help it cause your words really reach down to the soul level! I didn't know Dusty, but he sounds like a wonderful man! Sorry I missed out... He's probably read your hub already and is smiling down at ya! Take care sweetie! :O)

You have thought of a wonderful tribute and I am so glad you created this hub.

Hi Ruby... well done and you are so right about Dusty... what struck me the most was he was known by all and I know forgotten by few... a great amount of wisdom was passed on by him... Thank you for sharing this...

Blessing from Canada

Up and a beautiful tribute. I am getting acquainted with Dusty too late, through the many hubs remembering him as an admirable man of integrity, principles, and compassion.

It was a lovely tribute to your friend......Lovely read.

Heart touching hub always exploring. A wonderful tribute to a friend.

You know, the last time I looked Dusty's profile is still here. He certainly left a mark on a lot of our hearts. I don't think he realized what a wonderful writer he was.

I loved interacting with Dusty: he was truly one of a kind.