Friday, December 01, 2006

The Dash

I first heard this poem when my class teacher in Primary 6 read it to the class near to the end of the year - I guess she was trying to inspire us to make something useful of our lives.

It came to mind again recently when a relative passed away. (Those of you who remember my MSN nick at that point in time, this is where it came from). Uncannily, the widow of this late relative received it in her email and sent it on to a few of us in the family, saying it reminded her of the eulogy for her late husband.

Here's the link to what's been circulating via email:
http://www.the-dash-movie-poem.com

but for those of you with time constraints, here's the text version (go visit the link lah..got music some more..nicer!)...

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 of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the 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 little 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?

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