The Dash

by Linda Ellis copyright 1996

​I read of a man who stood to speak

at the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on the tombstone

from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of birth

and spoke 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 they spent alive on earth.

And now only those who loved them

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’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 is being read,

with your life’s actions to rehash…

would you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent YOUR dash?

​​Copyright 1996 Linda Ellis

This poem was read at the beginning of my grandma Pendletons funeral in 2001. As you know my grandma’s funeral was a turning point in my life.  I really pondered “what do I want people to say about me when I die.” What do I want my kids to say about me when I die” And I changed my life, I stopped focusing on the material things that I thought were important and went to work on the real important things, relationships with people and Heavenly Father.

Be aware that people are always watching you, and your dash is always being defined.

  

   Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

   What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

  When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

   For worthy friends whose lives proclaim

I also like this song I really have been pondering the first line” Each life that touches ours for Good.  Think of the lives that have touched your life; family, friends, leaders, teachers, the news, song artists, the prophet that wrote scripture, ancestors that came to America…etc.  We are not lone islands and it is silly for us to think that our actions have no consequences and that our actions don’t affect anyone else, because they do.

 Take time to ponder if you were to die in one year from now, which is possible we don’t know when we will leave this world, Ponder what do you want people to say about you, what will your dash mean to others. 

How can you touch others life for good?