The Dash

My friend, Brian sent me this poem by Linda Ellis:

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

He noted the first came her date of birth and spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the 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 may last only 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?

Maybe you’ve seen it before, but it’s an important reminder to live our best lives. When my dad past away a few months ago, this was the thought that was uppermost in my mind. I tried so hard to see the good in his life, how he was honest and strong and always did what he felt was the right thing. But quite truthfully he didn’t do many things he could have to increase love and joy in his own life. It was an important lesson for me. I tend to be self-centered and now I’m ready to reach out more, spread my wings and grow.