The DASH

After attending an intimate funeral this week of the husband of a swimming friend , I was enlightened by the minister's message. I thought I would like to share some of it with you. It somehow touched a cord with me and has made me look at life again, just a little differently. Even though I consider myself a humble person, sometimes we need a little shake up.

Have you ever looked at a tombstone and noticed that each has the date of birth inscribed of the deceased, then a dash ------- then the date of death? What really is important here? Sure we were all born and we will die but the reality is it is the DASH which is the most important. That Dash represents our life, the time we spent on this earth. For some , the Dash is short and for others, very long.

What we have done in our DASH is not measured by how much money we have earned or how much money we have saved. It is not measured by what we have acquired as worldly things. It's about what we have done during that DASH. What have we contributed or gave to our family, friends and society. Who have we nurtured or cared for. What child has learnt something from us. What kind smile have we given a homeless person?

Even though Kelly-Anne's DASH was so short, she was able to do all the above and more.

I want my DASH to be filled of stories and memories that I and my family can be proud of...the giving , the sharing, the love, the nurturing, the selflessness. We all have that inside of ourselves...it's up to us to set the priorities straight and live out faithfully, no matter how short or how long our DASH is.

What will your DASH be?