The Dash...something that mattters

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a 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
That can still be rearranged.

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 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?

I had to Blog about this, for it was my kindhearted, handsome, loving brother-in-law Rob who brought up THE DASH in our lives yesterday at Nana T's service. I pointed out how Michael put the collage of pictures together and one of the pics was of me right after having Ryan and I did not look all that appealing. So jokingly I said "ya I can thank Michael for putting that up there, funny how huge and bloated I am looking, like I want that on the board", Well Rob pointed out it is all apart of the DASH....that time in-between your birthdate and your passing date that MATTERS the most. It is that very DASH that makes up the times of our lives. I have tried to pride myself on making that DASH have deep meaning. Not just to me but for all the others I come in contact with through my years here on earth. It may be for the closest of people in my life or it may even be to a stranger who I may never meet again, Though I truly want, regardless if I know them or not to have MY DASH matter. I NEED to thank Rob for pointing that out because every moment we live makes up our DASH! Go through life making sure that your DASH is well spent. That you make your mark....This particular song makes me think of just that....I WAS HERE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XZ12nrz47U that a moment to listen..this was my first 3 day walks anthem....I live by the moto....."I wanna do something that matters" ...."do something better with the time I was given"/////something that says I was here.......ou will notice me
I'll be leaving my mark like initials carved
In an old oak tree, you wait and see

Maybe I'll write like Twain wrote
Maybe I'll paint like Van Gogh
Cure the common cold, I don't know
But I'm ready start 'cause I know in my heart

I wanna do something that matters, say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better with the time I've been given
I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
Leave nothing less than something that says ?I was here?

I will prove you wrong
If you think I'm all talk, you're in for a shock
[ From: http://www.elyrics.net/read/l/lady-antebellum-lyrics/i-was-here-lyrics.html]
'Cause this dream's too strong and before too long

Maybe I'll compose symphonies
Maybe I'll fight for world peace
'Cause I know it's my destiny
To leave more than a trace of myself in this place!

I wanna do something that matters, say something different
Something that sets the whole world on its ear
I wanna do something better with the time I've been given
I wanna try to touch a few hearts in this life
And leave nothing less than something that says ?I was here?

And I know that I, I will do more than just pass through this life
I'll leave nothing less than something that says ?I was here?
I was here

As I look back in the treasure chest of memories of Nana Theresa I can say she did something that matters....She had a huge hand in molding me into the person I have become. Thanks to you Nana T for making YOUR dash matter. xo