For those of you that know and love Monte, know him to be one of the kindest, most giving friend.  He would give anything for any one of his friends or family; and he has.  I have seen him every day, for seven years, working day after day with his beloved clients handling them with kid gloves.

No one leaves Monte's presence without having a new friend. Many of his clients have been coming to see him for over 20 years, every 2 weeks, for their "Monte Time."  Amazing!  Okay, throw in a Mich Ultra and we'll be really good.  LOL!

Monte's world (besides me, and his kids) was his family of friends and clients who seek not only his incredible nail services; but mostly his friendship.  His business card reads, "Monte, Nail Therapist" and that's exactly what he is.  Most of his clients just come to see him for some much needed laughter and free advice on just about anything. The nails are completely besides the point!

But unfortunately, today, Monte has to stop his nail business at Petals Skin Spa, in Historic Downtown Melbourne, where he worked for over 7 years. Monte held a 5 star internet rating for all of those years.  He is lovingly called "The Redneck Nail Tech!" People would call and ask if he spoke any Vietnamese. (no bad) He would say no, but he did speak some redneck. LOL! Everyone loves Monte.

Monte has done beautiful nails for hundreds of thousands of clients here in Brevard County for more than 25 years. His list of clients ranges from CEO's to Brevard County custodians and anyone inbetween! Do you have any idea how many fingers and toes that is? It's like doing a million mini Picaso's! Maybe more!  x10 Exponential!  Infinite!

He never goes anywhere in this town without running into somebody he knows and who knows and loves him.

One day, I vividly remember.  A happy regular came in all excited because she just discovered Pintrest.  She found pictures of incredible nails that she wanted Monte to do for her that day.  They were peacock feathers; just spectacular.  Time consuming, to say the least. No problem!

So anyway, Monte did his amazing rendition of peacock feathers which turned out even more beautiful; but it was like 10 different layers of colors to get it right.  So the next client who comes in, I wisk her to the computer to show her the peacock nails.  OMG!  I want those, too!

So he did another full set of 10 more peacock nails. And another. And another.  Until finally around 3 o'clock he pulls me over and says sweetly, "Please don't show anyone else Pintrest, dear."  LOL.  Sorry about that!

Would you believe he has never rased his prices in 25 years?  He has charged the exact same price for his services today that he asked back in the 1990's!  Is that not crazy?  New clients practically fall out of his pedicure chair in shock when they find out his pedicure is only $30.

I have seen him donate his mani's and pedi's happily and gladly like bubble gum, everyday to any cause, any time, anywhere. He helps his clients sell or promote anything from Girl Scout Cookies, to high school plays to knitted hats! 

Monte has been a blessing to every person who has ever crossed his path.  I have seen him give his last two dollars to a homeless lady.  She needed it more was all he said.  Monte, in my opinion, is the closest thing to a living example of Jesus Christ I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Well, Monte is sick now.  He would work if I didn't duct tape him to the bed, and has tried to work even being sick these past 2 months.  He was diagnosed two weeks with Lymphomma and luckily we were able to get a special filing for life change and did get him on insurance.  But that doesn't kick in until June.  He still has bills of his own to pay beyond the upcoming bills we don't know about yet.

Because of this we're not sure of how far along he is. Lymphomma  is a form of blood/lymph cancer and it is flowing through his body giving him a fever, rash and exhaustion.  Everybody knows what an Every Ready Bunny Monte is.  He can hardly take down the 2 trash cans to the street without it whipping his butt.  He feels pretty crummy.

Anyway,  I thought what better way to repay Monte that to open for him a GoFundMe account? If ever anybody deserves a kindness back; it's Monte. He worries too much about money, (no wonder, his bank account had $18.00 in it today.) and everthing else, and I thought this would help give him some needed peace of mind.

Hopefully.  I just had to do it.  If you had any idea of the daily selflessness of this man, you would give him a blank check.  He never asks for anything from anyone. But I will.  I must.  He needs the help of friends right now.  That way, he can take himself to bed to rest and heal without me having to duct tape him there!  LOL!  

Monte asked me to marry him Sunday, April 30th. I said "Yes," of course. On Monday, May 1st we found out about his cancer.  I married him on Monday, May 8th, regardless, because any day with Monte is priceless. He was just glad he asked me before the shoe dropped. He didn't want a pity marriage!  Typical Monte!  LOL! We are millionaires in other ways. But money pays the bills.  

God Bless all of Monte's Friends and Loved Ones for their Prayers and Support! We Love You All Like Family!

In Jesus,
Ellen Mulligan Casteel
Wife of Monte Casteel
Petals Skin Spa, Melbourne, FL