Living in the Dash
I recently read a poem about living in the dash by Linda Ellis. On the study.com website, I found that “Linda Ellis was working in a corporate job when she was inspired to write "The Dash." Her co-worker's wife, who was terminally ill, wrote a letter in which she reflected on her life. The woman lamented the fact that she had spent time worrying about life instead of living it, and explained that if she had the chance to do it again, she would have been more present and less concerned about the future.
The letter caused Ellis to reflect on her own life. In 1996, Ellis wrote the poem and shared it with a syndicated radio program based out of Atlanta, Georgia. The radio host read "The Dash" on the air, where it reached and inspired many listeners.”
Of course, in the poem, the dash represents the years of living between your birth date and the date of your death as depicted on a tombstone or obituary. The dash. Such a small thing, yet representing so much. All of the years, experiences, choices. The people we’ve met, the places we’ve gone, the memories we’ve created.
The dash. As I read the poem, I reflected on its message. The dash is important. Whether the length of time on either side of it is short or long, it is how we are living our days between that matter. It’s all about the journey and enjoying every day.
Everyone has their own dash. They’re living their own life - full of their own experiences and choices. It’s nice to be part of someone else’s dash. It’s wonderful when our dash includes others. In the end though, we can only take responsibility for the dash we have.
I like this poem, so I thought I’d share it.
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?
What do you think of the poem?