The Dash read at Graveside

THE DASH

I read of a woman who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend

She referred to the dates on the tombstone

From the beginning to the end.

 

She noted that first came his date of birth

And spoke the following date with tears,

But she said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That Uncle Barry 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 changed?

For you never know how much time is left,

That still can 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, Uncle Barry, when your eulogy’s being read

With your life’s actions to rehash…

Be very proud of the things we’ll say

About how you spent your dash?

Author Unknown