I read of a reverend who stood
to speak
at the funeral of his 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 is being
read
with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be pleased with the
things they say
about how you spent your dash?
Linda Ellis, copyright © (used by permission)
Linda's Lyrics Personalized Poems
www.lindaslyrics.com
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