The Dash
Copyright 1998 by Linda Ellis
I read of a reverend 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. You could be at dash mid-range.
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's being read,
with your life's actions to rehash,
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?
GOD BLESS AND KEEP ALL THOSE THAT PASSED AWAY DURING THIS GREAT TRAGEDY, ALONG WITH THE FAMILIES.
MARILYN