by Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that 1st came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears.
He said that 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, or 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 “mid-dash range”.
Are there people you’ve left behind? Things you’ve left unsaid?
Words you need to think again? Fences you need to mend?
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 have never loved before!
Can we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile.
Remembering that this special dash will only last awhile.
So, when your eulogy’s being read and your life is being rehashed,
Would you be proud of what they have to say about how you spent your dash?