Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Two Funerals in this Holy Week....


This is an unusual Holy Week......we attended the funeral of our brother in law's father yesterday on my husband's side. Tomorrow is another funeral for a loved father, son, brother of extended family members on my side.

Attending these services and praying for the grieving family members cannot help but make me think of eternity and my place in it.....my place in life and my place in death. It will come to all of us eventually unless our Lord returns first.

A few years ago a beautiful lady passed away and the poem by Linda Ellis was read at her memorial service. I have been reminded of the importance of just HOW we live our life and how the choices we make impact so many.

 


The following is a poem by Linda Ellis © 1998. Consider the implications for your own life's choices

The Dash

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. (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 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's being read with your life's actions to rehash...
Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spend your dash??






7 comments:

Deb said...

so sorry about your losses....nice poem...

Amber said...

what a wonderful poem and so true. thoughts for you and LD as you support those who mourn. we can all find solace in the comfort of numbers.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Sorry that you've had two funerals in one week. -sigh-

Yes, what I try to take from such happenings, is the determination to live life now. Pay attention, as it were. Not waste time, in mindless living, etc.

Gentle hugs...

Carla said...

Very Nice Linda. I may copy and save that poem. Sorry for your losses.
It definitely makes on think about how truly short life can be and that you need to live each day to the fullest and keep your family and friends close by. Hugs

Nita said...

I'm very sorry for Ruth Ann & her husband.
That was a beautiful poem.
See you this evening.

LV said...

Funerals are not something I like to attend. I have a hard time with death. I truly understand the words of the poem and try very hard to follow most of the rules. I have all my arrangements made so my family will not have to be faced with that. On a lighter note, I like your finished bathrooms. I know you are happy that it is all over.

Jenner said...

I am so sorry for your loss. It makes my last post seem trivial... it's just that as a mom I want everything to be so perfect and idyllic for my daughter and it breaks my heart when I can't provide that. *hugs* Thank you, your words meant a lot. If nothing else, what she will remember from her childhood is that her mom and dad cherished her more than anything!