50+ Lifestyles

Living Life’s Dash

By Mary Schricker Gemberling

“The New Year stands before us, like a chapter in a book waiting to be written. …………..Melody Beattie

I have to admit I’ve never been one to put too much effort into making or keeping New Year resolutions. I have always been pretty goal orientated and tried to make necessary changes as the need presented itself. I’ve also reached that time in my life when I know that it’s much more purposeful to be thankful and appreciative of what we are blessed with rather than wishing for more. My cup overflows with a multitude of blessings. Someone asked me in December what I wanted or needed for Christmas. I answered them ‘nothing’ and perhaps for the first time in my life truly meant it. The
following poem says it best!

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 that first came the date of birth

And spoke 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 they spent alive 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.

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 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?

Thanks to all of you who take the time to read my articles. May your ‘Dash’ bring you much peace and contentment in 2020 and many years beyond.

Mary, a former educator and Seniors Real Estate Specialist is the author of three books, The West End Kid, Labor of Love; My Personal Journey through the World of Caregiving, and Hotel Blackhawk; A Century of Elegance.