THE DASH

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. 
He referred to the dates on the gravestone from the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came his date of birth, and spoke that date with tears,
But he said what mattered most was the dash between those years.

That dash represents all the time he spent alive on earth.
And now, only those who loved him most 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 live our dash.

So  think about this long and hard, are there things we'd like to change?
For we never know how much time is left, for things to rearrange.

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'd treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this little dash might only last a while.

So when your live is being read, with our actions to rehash,
Would we be proud of what others will say, about how we spent your dash?

Read by the Rev. Art. Good at Bill's funeral.