The Dash

I attended the funeral for my friend Jonathan Stuart on Thursday before heading to San Diego to rescue Richelle. I hate funerals; I'm not sure why I insist on attending...there has to be a less emotional way to get closure. Maybe not...I guess there really is no other way to "celebrate" someone's life after they have left us.


The funeral was at the Church of Joy & I have no idea what religion, if any, the "pastor" was, but I thought he did a very nice job. He said he knew Jonathan well and even married Jonathan and his wife Stephanie last Fall. The "pastor" read a poem that I really enjoyed...it made me reflect on my own life...so I thought I would share it with all who read our blog.

The Dash

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 the date of her 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 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 ash,
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?