Reason number two for my hatred of February: The night of my grandma's calling, I was chatting with some friends when my husband came up to me with a strange look on his face. He pulled me aside and said he had some news that he didn't quite know how to share. When he told me my friend Matt had passed away I remember shaking my head no. Really? I had just spoke with him briefly on the phone a week or so ago. The next day was my Grandma's funeral and shortly after that was Matt's. I think that was the most emotionally draining week of my life.
There was a poem read at his funeral that I look at often. Even though his time with us was short, I can say that he spent part of that dash being an amazing friend.
I read of a man 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.
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’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?
by Linda Ellis
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| We miss you Matthew Roy |
