Recently, I re-read the poem below titled The Dash — by Linda Ellis. It reminded me of two things:
1. The importance of living the way God created us to live. I discuss the subject at pages 25-32 of my book and in my July 2020 blog on Love.
2. The importance of leaving a positive legacy. At the bottom of page 78 and the top of page 79 of my book, I suggest that when considering what type of legacy you want to leave, think about who will attend your funeral and what you want each person to say about you.
For example, what do you want your spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, extended family, friends, employers, coworkers, and pastor or priest to say? After you write down what you would like each person to say, make it your goal to start living that way.
If you live the way that God created you to live, and if you live the way that you want your family and friends to remember you by, then at your funeral you would be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash.
THE DASH — by Linda Ellis
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 the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth and spoke of 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 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 own, the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we lived and loved 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 still can be rearranged.
To 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 lived your dash?
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