The Dash

This poem was in given in a talk I attended yesterday. Something to ponder...


The Dash
by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates of her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first come her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears
But he said what mattered most of you all
Was the dash between those years (1934 - 1998)

For the dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what thaht 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 u 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 is true and real
And always try to understand
That 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?