Friday, December 12, 2008

The Dash


The Dash
copyright 1996 Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning...to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth...
and now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
the cars....the house...the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard...
are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and real,
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they
say about how you spend your dash?

5 comments:

bichonpawz said...

Well, this sure gives me something to think about! We all should stop and think! Have a great weekend Brenda!

Donna said...

Beautiful, Brenda....I think My dash is drooping a bit....Happy morning sweetie!!hughugs

Jan said...

Love this. I think my dash is good. I work hard on it all the time.

Unknown said...

I've seen this before and loved it then and now. So true and yet we get so caught up in the world and things around us. Thanks, good post!

Special K said...

I'm sorry to say my "dash" is, so far, shamefully...dashy and not much else.

But I'm working on it!