I read of a woman who stood to speak
At the funeral of a best friend,
She referred to the dates on his tombstone –
From the beginning – to the end!

She noted that first came his 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 that DASH represents all the time
That he spent alive on earth….
And now only those who loved him
Know what that little “LINE” was worth!

For it matters not, how much we own;
The flashy cars.. the big house.. and all 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 re-arranged!

If we could just slow down enough 
To consider what’s true and real,
And always try to understand 
The way other folks 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 re-hash;
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your DASH???