how are you spending your dash?

An angel was laid to rest today. She left behind a husband who adored her, a 2 year old daughter and a baby boy almost to his 4th month. Most of all she left behind the memory of a young woman with a heart of gold, strength beyond measure and a faith in God unfaltering. She won't be forgotten. Now she is in a better place, free from her pain.

Thank you to all of those who have offered up prayers, shared kind words and simply asked what was wrong. I appreciate you.

At the services today the poem below was read aloud -- I wanted to share it because it is filled with words we should have on our minds always, not just when a loved one is lost.


The Dash Poem - by 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 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 spent your dash?
©1996 Linda Ellis