St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center Thought for the Day

St. Paul of the Cross Retreat Center

Thought for the Day

Last Updated January 24, 2001

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.
(1934-1998)
.
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 long enough to consider what's true and real,
and always tryto 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's being read with your life's actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they said
about how you spent your dash?
.
- "The Dash" © Linda Ellis

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