Kathy posted a condolence
Sunday, August 20, 2006
THE DASH
a poem 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 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 THE 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'T 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.
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 ACTIOINS TO BE REHASHED,
WOULD YOU BE PROUD OF THE THINGS THEY SAY
AND HOW YOU SPENT YOUR DASH?
WE LOVE YOU AUNT JOAN AND WE ARE PROUD OF YOUR DASH.
YOU WILL BE MISSED.
LOVE, JIMMY, KATHY, STEPHANIE AND TJ MCHUGH
Call: (856) 582-3800 
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