-your dash-

A few Sundays ago, we had an invited speaker in church who came all the way from the States.. i lost my church program for that particular Sunday thus i cannot remember his full name... this pastor is a very "special" pastor because he doesn't minister to a home church but he renders his services to funeral homes..he is being called when there are dead persons not claimed by relatives or if the family doesnt know any minister who can perform funeral service to their deceased loved ones..at the end of his message, he shared this stirring poem(given to him in one of his funeral services) which challenges all the "living"... here it is -



HOW TO 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 his tombstone

from beginning.. to the end.

He noted that first came his date of birth

and spoke the following date with tears,

but he said what mattered most of all

was the dash between those years.

(1924-2010)



For that dash represents all the time

that he spent alive on earth...

and now only those who loved him

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's being read

with your life's actions to rehas....

would you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent your dash?