“ The Dash Poem”by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone from the beginning to the end.

He noted first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.

For that dash represents all the time that they spent life on Earth.
And now only those who loved them 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.

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? ”

—

Food for thought

Prayers…

For those who have gone before. May they RIP

Stopped at family plot on the way home. The stones have been raised and straightened. Now, they just need to settle a bit, and all will be well.

Giving thought to flowers. My m-i-l had such a green thumb. Two more cemeteries to check before spring gets away from me.

03.07.2023

32°F cloudy ENE@10mph

Morning Offering given

Village peaceful

Coffee good

We’re not getting any younger. In fact, most days aging seems to be coming at a rapid pace regardless of what one does to slow it down. So, in all reality death although not on your doorstep may be waiting in the wings. Have you let anyone know how you want things done? Have you filled out the necessary forms to make life easier on your descendants? Have you planned your funeral? Purchased your cemetery plot? Ordered your headstone? Made out your will? Have you sorted your belongings? Gone thru the attic and returned items that belong to your children? Sorted the Christmas/Easter/Valentine/etc decorations? What about your book collection? Your mother’s dishes? Your father’s tools?

I’ve been told many of today’s young adults don’t want their parents belonging, much less have to sort thru them. Do the sorting yourself. Give it to them and let them decide for themselves. Let them throw it out, sell it, and give it away. After all, in the end, it will be theirs to fight over (and trust me they will) once you are gone.

Collect all your websites, passwords, etc. Close out the old ones and note the day you did it. There are some really ideal little booklets out there where you can record all those things. I’m about halfway thru and have come to realize how tedious it is to get this done. Those family history papers, get them in order, fill out, and collated. Nothing worse than having to figure out someone else’s idea of how to file things (all thrown into one box free for all).

For goodness sake empty your medicine cabinet, bedside drawers, and bathroom bins. All that half-used, outdated crap needs to go. No one will use already been used stuff. That’s like chewing all ready been chewed gum.

Your closet…if you haven’t worn it get rid of it. There are plenty of resale/thrift shops out there. Let’s get realistic.

Now that craft room, really all those bins? Even if you were 20 you’d never use it all. Gift it to someone who will.

Your journals, are you sure you want your children and grandchildren reading them? Do they hold information you want to be passed on? Or was it venting? Do you want them to read your vent? Do you want a stranger reading them?

Nuff on that subject.

How’s Lent going? We’re into the 2nd week.

Unfortunately, Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday. What a waste of energy. Most who know me know I feel this way. Utter failure at the original intent. Well, that is if you believe what they said. Personally, I believe it was an attempt to control. In that area, it was successful for the most part. In another area, it got people divided.

Know you are prayed for.