Just the everyday thoughts and observations from a nebraska woman.
just a little something to think about....
Published on May 28, 2004 By Nebraskawoman In Misc
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 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.
(1934-1998)
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
May last only 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?

Comments
on Jun 06, 2004
Obviously your point is very amazing, something I think we all, at one time or another have thought about that. But aside from that, the writing is great! I like the tangible picture of the dash. Now, whenever I look at a tombstone, I won't notice the dates so much, and be figuring out how old the person lived to be, but I'll be looking at that dash, imagining it much longer than it is, imagining what it contained.

Thanks for sharing this

~Sarah
on Jun 06, 2004
wow
on Jun 08, 2004
I'm really glad you liked it.
on Jun 08, 2004
That was beautiful, and very thought provoking, I'm going to consider my own dash.....