Below is a poem that was referenced at Vince's funeral by his brother. I found it very touching and also very personal, as one of the reasons I decided to take a risk and follow my dreams is because I didn't want to regret not doing it. I wanted my dash to be more fufilling.....
For your reading pleasure...
The 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 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 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 is being read with your life's actions to rehash...would you be proud of the things they say about how you spend your dash?
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3 comments:
That's moving Jenny. I was originally going to pass on this "poem" because I didn't feel like reading poetry tonight, but I'm glad I lingered for a few extra seconds one the page. I sometimes think about that moment when my friends and family will speak of me. What will they have to say? One of my great fears in life is that upon my death, there will be little to say about it.
Tom and Jen:
The beauty of love and friendship is not the fine words spoken after we pass, but the finer words and deeds expressed during our lives. I sincerely believe that the dash is not only about what we do and what we accomplish, but more about the people in our lives who share in it. So long as we treat each other with love, be fair to one another, and treasure the time we have, there is no doubt that when we pass there will be plenty to say about the people we were and the lives we had. After all, we, like Vince, will continue to live in the memories others have of us.
Tom, Jen and Wired, With your thoughts, I have finally understood why Jesus' rebuked Martha and not Mary.
We must treasure the time we have with each other more than the accomplishment of our good works.
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