[Doody]

Today I went to a seminar in Des Moines and the speaker was an inspiration, most especially when I talked to her privately at the end after everyone had gone.

She read this poem, The Dash, and I thought it to be so wonderful! So I looked it up when I got home just now. How would I know it's so famous that a short movie has been made of it, CD's, journals, books!

Anyway, when I talked to her after everyone left, she shared with me that she had just gotten a clean report from her doctor (after surgery and chemo and radiation 6 months ago). She has triple negative cancer and has a 25% survival rate, which is what she focuses on. (Maybe you could all say a prayer for her, her name is Carla.)

Here is that amazing poem....

I read of a reverend who stood to speak
at the funeral of his friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the 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’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left.
(You could be at "dash mid-range.")

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 being read
with your life’s actions to rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent your dash?

Linda Ellis, 1998

I thought about our NT group here and how they've made my remaining dash so very extra special with all of the love and support. Your dashes are important to me!