Your Dash

It has been a tough week. A faculty member at my school unexpectedly passed away from a brain aneurysm. Last night I waited in line for over two hours with hundreds of others to pay our final respects to an amazing man. Today was spent comforting students...some cried, most handled it well, many had questions, several commented how strange it was that he was just gone. The healing will go on for weeks.

At the visitation, they included this poem....

How Do You Live Your 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 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 matter 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'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's Website}

My new years resolution.....to make the most of every moment and not take a single day for granted....I want to spend my dash serving my Lord and Savior, loving and laughing with my family, being kind and caring to others, and enjoying the simple joys in life. 2012 will be a great year.