A poem that I love

Hello again,
I know this is a blog for things I am thankful for but I want to share a poem that I would like to dedicate to loved ones who have passed on and to those of us still here. So essentially this poem is for everyone. But I am sharing this poem today because of the loss of a friend. We all have loved ones who we have lost and I suppose this is more for us than them because we can still change how we spend our "dash". But this poem causes me to reflect on the lives of loved ones I have lost and see all the good in them. I first heard this poem at my cousin's funeral years ago. I love the poem and I am thankful for this poem as well. So I suppose this is something I am thankful for so it fits on the blog. lol

The '-' Dash
Words by Linda Ellis

I read of a Reverend who stood to speak,
At the funeral of his friend,
He referred to the dates on (his) tombstone
From the beginning ... to the end.

He noted that first came the date of (his) 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 (he) spent alive on earth
and now only those who loved (him)
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 out the 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'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 say
About how you spent your dash?

I would like to say that I think my friend who passed away spent her dash very well even if it was a dash that was way too short. She touched so many lives-even those who she never physically met and made lives better as a result. She was very caring and funny and sweet. She will live on in the hearts of many who's lives have been made better because of knowing her.
I try to keep this poem close by to remind myself about my "dash" and how I am spending it. I don't know that I always do the best job but I try. Thanks for reading this post of mine and I hope you enjoy the poem and it touches you like it did to me.