"The Dash" by Linda Ellis

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 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?