BEREAVEMENTUK SUPPORT FORUM

Bereavement Support Posts => Please Post In This Bereavement Support Posting Room => Topic started by: Norma on September 22, 2016, 05:22:49 PM

Title: The Dash
Post by: Norma on September 22, 2016, 05:22:49 PM
Ive been to a funeral today and the most lovely piem was read out, and wanted to share it with you all xx

A most beautiful poem '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 casket from 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 those 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 would 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 is 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 have 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?

 :hug:
Title: Re: The Dash
Post by: Joann on September 22, 2016, 06:38:16 PM
 :heart:
Title: Re: The Dash
Post by: Karena on September 22, 2016, 06:57:23 PM
That's beautiful Norma thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: The Dash
Post by: Brian71 on September 22, 2016, 09:23:10 PM
A beautiful poem Norma, with a genuine poignant message.  I actually printed it out...thank you Norma.
Title: Re: The Dash
Post by: Hubby on September 22, 2016, 10:16:58 PM
How much would I have changed my dash knowing what I know now.
Title: Re: The Dash
Post by: Emz2014 on September 23, 2016, 05:26:10 PM
I love that poem. It was read at my close friends funeral and really resonated with me xx
Title: Re: The Dash
Post by: longedge on September 23, 2016, 09:23:20 PM
I've just re-read this after seeing it yesterday when for some reason this didn't register with me "and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.".

That is so true and for some reason sends a shiver down my spine. Whenever my family are together I always make a point of mentioning mum or grandma in some way just to keep her with us I suppose.