Montrose Marinus Driessen

A Chapter That Became a Lifetime...Ten years ago, I was lucky enough to spend eight unforgettable months living with an amazing man named Monty, on his farm Poverty Patch. I don’t think I could have known then just how much those eight months would come to mean to me.Spending each day with you Monty, you taught me so much, not only practical skills and how to work with my hands, but lessons about life that have stayed with me ever since. You became so much more than a friend to me, you were a father figure, a teacher, and someone I feel incredibly fortunate to have known.What a fun, beautiful and truly life changing eight months I spent with you. I got to see that wonderful childlike sense of wonder and play come out in you, and it made even the simplest days feel special. I’ll always remember our evenings listening to Foster and Allen together, the constant laughter and the endless days spent with our amazing friends Fred and Noelene. Somehow, the four of us felt like a little family, a group of people who were simply meant to find one another.On the days when I look back, I know just how rare and precious that time was. I feel so blessed that our paths crossed, and even more blessed that I was given those 243 days with you.I hope that wherever you are now Monty, you’re somewhere beautiful, having the most amazing time and looking at it all with that same sense of wonder and play you carried through life.You now live in my memories as the amazing soul you were. Thank you for everything you taught me, for every laugh, every ordinary day that became a treasured memory, and for always finding a way to make the most of whatever life placed in front of you.Most of all, thank you for simply being you.Those eight months may have been only a chapter, but for me, they have become a lifetime.Until we meet again,Danny x

Monty, you were the most kindest, funniest man I had ever met. You touched the lives of everyone who were lucky enough to meet you, me and all my family included when you came to Ireland. You loved your family, friends, your land and of course your dogs. It was a pleasure to spend time working with you at "Poverty Patch".! God bless you Monty, your friend and travel partner Mark the Irish man.

Oh sweet friend. For almost 30 years I have had the honor of being your friend. Thank you. Sometimes it is so interesting how people randomly cross into our lives, and they become so special we never want to let go. Sadly, this is not how life works. I will see you again, someday on down the road. Until we meet again, my friend. - Meagan