My heart goes out to Haley’s family and I offer my deepest sympathy during this difficult time. Haley seemed like a very beautiful woman inside and out. I wish she would have been able to stay with us longer, but she is now at peace. I’d like to share a poem with you that someone passed on to me.
THE DASH By Linda Ellis
I read of a man who stood up 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 said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
That she had spent alive on the 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 most is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
So think about it 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 is true and real,
And try to understand
The way other people feel.
Be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more,
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved them before.
Treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering this special dash
Might only last a 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?
