It's a part of life...we see death every day.
It's on TV shows. It's in the news. It's in our children's video games. We seem to be more and more desensitized to it. However, once in a while it hits home when
a real person, a loved one that made an impact on your life, passes away. Unfortunately, I experienced this last week when my "second" sister's mother passed unexpectedly.
While we were not ready for her to leave us, she was ready and she passed peacefully.
We mourn losses but more importantly,
celebrate their lives. Yet somehow, our egocentric selves slip into the mix as we tend to experience that reflection of ourselves and
how others will celebrate our lives. - Do we support those who need support?
- Do we laugh and smile enough?
- Do we make the most of every day?
- Are we thankful of what we have and not what we don't?
- Do we sweat the small insignificant things or embrace the big picture?
- Are we what we want to be remembered as?
Admittedly, my own reflection tells me to work on a few of the above. In fact, it's
"The Dash" that makes memories we would be proud of, which later become the true treasures of our loved ones.
What is The Dash? It's a poignant poem by
Linda Ellis that my daughter, Jennifer sent to me. It helped me look at
life as a gift and not just a day by day spectator sport.
The Dash
by Linda Ellis copyright 1996
I read of a man who stood to speak
at a funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
from the beginning ...to end.
H noted that first came the 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 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 won,
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?
Let's have a conversation on Jill the Health Coach FB page!
