How Do You Spend Your Dash?

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I read of a woman who stood to speak
At a funeral of a friend. She referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning to the end.
She noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But she said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.
For the dash represents all the time
That she spent on earth...
And only those who loved her
Know what that little line was worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars...the house,..the cash.. What matters most is that 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 re-arranged.
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's read
With your life's actions to re-hash...
Will you be proud of the things they say
And how you spent your dash.