The Dash

"As you change your thoughts about people, people change towards you." - John Kehoe


Below is a reaction to a eulogy. This may sound morbid but we know that all of us will reach this stage - death. Anyway, red the poem and think about it.

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 (1940-2011)


For the "dash" represents all the time
That she spent alive on Earth
And only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth
For it 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 lfet
Than 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 our appreciation more
And love the people in our lives,
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's being read
With your life's action to rehash,
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spend your "dash".

☛ Think about it

Life is not about being black or white, rich or poor, ugly or beautiful. All of us can be happy if we can see how valuable we are and be fair towards ourselves.