A relatively new DUer needs some help

[abbeyco]

Hi All,
My dad is at the end of his days here on earth and I'm working on something for his eulogy.

A long while back, I'd heard someone speak about what happens between your dash, meaning 1925 - 2005 what fills the space between the dash. Obviously I know most of what happened in the years of my Dad's life, but I'd like to find the poem and reference it somehow, in speaking about all the things that filled his dash.

Is anyone here familiar with this poem or reference? I'm highly emotional about my personal situation and with what happened at Arlington West today and just can't sort through all of the Google items I've found.

Any help with this, and a prayer or kind thought would help a great deal at this time.

Thanks and I support Cindy and all troops, past and present.
:patriot: :cry:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Sorry to hear this...peace to you in your time of loss

The Dash
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 second with tears,
but he said that 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 considerwhat'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 pleased with the things they have to say
about how you spent your dash?

...Linda Ellis

[abbeyco]

6. Thank you!

This is exactly it, just what I was looking for.

I don't know how you have this so readily, but if you've had to use the same poem, my heart goes out to you.

I can now complete what I need to write and I thank you, nothingshocksmeanymore, from the bottom of my heart.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. You're more than welcome

and yes..I buried my own father 7 years ago July..I've often referred to this poem..I'd heard it many years ago...it's very hard to let go...death is permanent..but he will never be gone from your heart.

Take care and a belated welcome to DU. :hug:

[abbeyco]

8. It's a great poem - one we should all read

And one that I think we all would do well to take to heart. When my time comes, I hope someone would be able to speak kindly about my dash.

Best wishes to you and thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts.

[tavalon]

2. No, I don't know the reference

but I will offer up a hug ((((abbeyco)))).

And a comment that not too many people may see this tonight so if you don't get much feedback, post a kick in the morning, okay? It's okay to kick your own post, especially in this situation. I'm going to nominate this as well.

I've buried all of my family and it never gets any easier. I am so sorry you have to go through this.

[enigmatic]

3. I'm so sorry

My sympathies:hug:

[KitchenWitch]

4. I hope your dad passes as peacefully as possible

and Welcome to DU

[Wetzelbill]

5. Sorry about that

you and your dad will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

9. I'm wishing you and your father peace

:hug:

[abbeyco]

10. Moderator - please close this thread

I've received the poem I was looking for, thank you to nothingshocksmeanymore.

I do think this poem should be posted somewhere at DU so that all of us can be thoughtful about what it really means, especially with all of the goings-on here at DU.

I appreciate and take to my heart all of your kind words, prayers and thoughts.

abbeyco

[Old_Fart]

11. "I will light a candle and pray for your father"

What is his first name? Sorry to hear about your dad.

[expatriot]

12. Here's to your father, may you both find peace.

The closest person to me that has passed is my grandma a couple years back. We were very close, she was always so compassionate and so loving. It was very hard to say goodbye to her as I saw her in her nursing home bed - so deteriorated and waiting to die. But yet hours from death at the close of her ninety some years we talked to me and we said goodbye. She was the smartest person I've ever known and she never graduated high school. It is so hard.

Welcome to DU. Hope you stick around.

[EstimatedProphet]

13. Locking

OP's request