Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

The Dash

I thought the following was so beautiful.

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 on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke 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,
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
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

©1996 Linda Ellis

18 comments:

RW said...

Thats beautiful! I like that, thanks for sharing this Odat.

Sarge Charlie said...

Good one Miss Odat, I am spending the rest of my dash doing whatever makes me happy.

Anonymous said...

Lovely sentiments Odat.

The CEO said...

This always gets to me, every single time. It's important to remember. Thank you.

Monty

Sandee said...

What Sarge Charlie said. Beautiful Odat. Have a great day. Big hug and lotsa lovies. :)

Anonymous said...

You're right, this is lovely. I think we strive to live every day to our best achievement and experience. And try to really live. I know how precious this world and life are - and even in the pain, am deeply grateful to be here another day.

When I meet people who aren't doing anything with their lives, they confuse me. We know so many people who's greatest accomplishment is the last thing they consumed - beer? concert? tea? garden? whatever they bought. I want to shake them but they think I'm a freak soo.....

Akelamalu said...

Thank you so much for sharing that Odat, I will try to slow down and not 'dash' so much. x

none said...

Very nice and so true.

Dianne said...

that's lovely

Barb said...

It seems at least a few times a week that I find myself reminding people to learn to live in the now. We can't live in the past or the future, but that's where you'll often find people.

Constance said...

Happy Tuesday afternoon to you, Odat ! How are you doing today ?

Thought I'd 'dash' by and say hello :)

Anndi said...

Thank you for that...

*hugs*

Jeff B said...

I just printed out a copy of that to read to some friends of mine that are coming over this evening.

Beautiful words.

Gene Bach said...

Way cool poem!

Patti said...

This is a lovely poem, Odat. I recently was given a copy of it at a memorial service.


thanks for sharing

Echomouse said...

I heard that so long ago and have never forgotten it. The dash means the most, that's for sure.

Thanks Odat. I loved reading this again.

Michael C said...

There is a Garth Brooks songs that talks about how everyone knows the two dates on your tombstone, but it's that little dash in the middle that really matters.

I think it's called 'pushing up daisies.'

Anonymous said...

That poem was a part of my dad's memorial service. It's wonderful!!!