The Dash....

"The Dash" by Linda Ellis
I read of a reverend who stood to speakat the funeral of his friend.He referred to the dateon her tombstonefrom the beginning... to the end.He noted that first came the date of her birthand spoke of the date with tearsbut he said what mattered most of allwas the dash between those years.For that dash represents all the timethat she spent alive on earth, andnow only those who loved her knowwhat that little line is worth.For it matters not how much we own;the cars, the house, the cash.What matters is how we lived and lovedand 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 leftYou could be at "dash mid-range"If we could just slow down enoughto consider what's true and real,and always try to understandthe way other people feel, andbe less quick to anger,show appreciation moreand love the people in our life likewe've never loved before.If we treat each other with respect,more often wear a smileremembering that this special dashmight only last a little while.So when your eulogy is being readwith your life's actions to rehash...would you be pleased with the things they sayabout how you spent your dash?

This is one of my favorite poems. I think it speaks for itself why it's one of my favs. I hope you love it too.