How Have You Spent Your Dash?

First, an apology for not having a post last week. I really miss being able to share something of value with you each week but was absolutely sunk after more than 5000 miles of driving in 15 days back and forth to Texas. My dear uncle passed away while at the University of Texas Southwestern Hospital participating in the LVAD research program.  LVAD is short for Left Ventricular Assist Device and is an amazing electric pump for the heart. I have been fascinated with it's design and purpose and thrilled that it gave us an additional 4 months with my uncle. I was so fortunate to be there when he passed away and even more blessed to be able to honor him at his memorial service.

Roger Carly

I was reading through more than 10 years of emails I had received from my Favorite Uncle and almost 6 years ago he sent me the following poem that I shared at his memorial service:

The 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 love 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 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 read

With your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

I hope this poem helps you realize the value of each precious day.  Make the most of it!!!