Dash.

It’s all about 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 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?
-Linda Ellis

I have a family friend (my mother's friend's daughter) who is younger than me. She just got married and had a baby. She was also recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer and is losing her battle. Every time I think about it... I just can't. This can't be happening to her, her new family. She is the quintessential girl next door - adorable, seems to do everything right, wholesome. How does this happen to someone so good? So young? I just don't get it. 

I am not close with her. In fact I haven't seen her since we were little. But that doesn't change the fact that this shouldn't be happening. I don't have to be close with her to see this. 

People - Love your dash. Live your dash.