I was at a family funeral recently (the conveyor belt continues its relentless path) where the poem below was read out. The conversation at the wake afterwards made constant mention to this poem and actually how insightful & impactful it was. Funerals always make me very reflective and I did a lot of thinking about how I am ‘spending my dash’; am I really doing enough? Having just retired it was doubly poignant and I hope that others here might find some relevance and benefit in the words.
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 his casket from the beginning to the end.
He noted that first came the date of his birth, and spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said that mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
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 would 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 is 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 have 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.