<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; line-break: after-white-space;" class="">Hello Dear Ones…….here is poem by Raven about Gracee…….created with love…….Blessings to all, Toni<br class=""><div><blockquote type="cite" class=""><br class=""><div class=""><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" class=""><div dir="auto" class="">I guess I should've introduced this a little better… A couple weeks ago June asked me to write a poem for Gracee after she died… And I asked the community to help me write this poem… So this poem has not only my words but a lot of community members words all stitched together in poetic form Which is why I did not give it a byline because it has so many people who wrote it…<br class=""><br class=""><div dir="ltr" class="">Sent from my iPad</div><div dir="ltr" class=""><br class=""><blockquote type="cite" class="">On May 9, 2021, at 8:47 AM, Raven Blakely <<a href="mailto:ravenb@mcn.org" class="">ravenb@mcn.org</a>> wrote:<br class=""><br class=""></blockquote></div><blockquote type="cite" class=""><div dir="ltr" class=""><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii" class=""><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""></span></font></p><div class=""><br class=""></div><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><br class=""></font><div class=""><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Gracee</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">As you fly through the crack in the universe</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">We send some wisps of words with you</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">like a comet's tail</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">following your angel wings</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">We met in circle and </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">you described us each in turn</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">As if you somehow knew us very well</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">even though we had just met</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">You caught our essence </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">We remember in unity </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">the beauty and truth of each </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">member of our community</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">and you reside among us still </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">in the heart space </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">of truth, love and forgiveness</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">And now it's our turn to pay tribute to you</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Gracee</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">You Graced the world </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">walking with vulnerable strength </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Your laughter and tears </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">did our hearts ignite </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">larger and bigger </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">counting each breath </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">receiving every serving of life </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">into the bowl of your generous heart </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">You nursed us with light and love</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">from the soul of your being</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">You were a traveler, singer,</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">and most of all a giver</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Risking your own life</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">while saving another's</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">and never regretting it, </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">not even in your last day</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Never, ever, becoming a victim</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">You stayed in the center of the universe </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">as a sovereign queen of existence </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">even when facing physical death</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Even in your battle with illness </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">You were impregnated with gratitude</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Passionate caregiver in the career you loved</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Considerate, caring, </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">compassionatly vivacious </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Vulnerably strong, </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">volumes of loving light,</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Your very presence </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">exudes strength and mystery,</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">empathy and kindness cast over your face </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">creating a feeling we will forever embrace</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">You referred to your house as Graceland</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">flocks of origami peace cranes </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">a pantry full of healing and celebration ingredients</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Your wardrobe of wraparound garments </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">of Sunrise colors and sunset fuchias and purples </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">A home that the deer surround</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">An enclosed garden, </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">and a folly (the nude pure white statue )</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">for all to see </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Gracee</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">The metamorphosis as you transformed youself </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">From Kathy into Gracee,</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">the graceful and free flying butterfly </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Your expansive exuberance, </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">your love for life</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">And love for beauty of all creation </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">your smile, your softness, </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">your acceptance and </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">your transcendence </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">You liked to say, "One breath at a time"</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">whenever asked how you were doing </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">One breath at a time</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">The living in your dying</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">sought transformation</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">and became</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">the world you were seeking</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Your radient inclusive expansive Chi </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">extends out into the universe</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">We hold you in our eternal embrace, </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">We love and at once omniscient, </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">unlimited, indivisible,</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">we all love.</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">Lovely lady of light singing songs of love</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 13.8px;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class="">You will be missed</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""></span></font></p><div class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><image1.jpeg></font></div><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><br class=""></font><div class=""><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div><div style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;" class=""><font face="Chalkboard SE" class=""><span style="font-style: normal; font-size: 15px;" class=""><br class=""></span></font></div></div></blockquote></div></div></blockquote></div><br class=""></body></html>