Christian Photographers Community

How Do You Spend Your Dash?

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 notes that 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 those years. (e.g. 1937 - 1999)

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little dash 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 would 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
How 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 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?

- Linda Ellis!

Thank you dear Mieka for posting this poem, it certainly gives all of us something to think about, and is so true of every person on this earth.

Mieka ~ That is beautiful!  I love it!  

Mieka, that really causes us to think!  Thanks for posting that.