Sunday, February 22, 2009

Yep it's Sunday .. again!

Wow, do weekends fly by for you like I feel like they do for me? Definately never enough time for what I need to do, let alone what I want to do.

Saturday was filled with cleaning .. cleaning out old clothes and trying to get my bedroom back ... seems like since Christmas, our bedroom because a holding room for everything that didn't have a home. Sure does feel good to have been soo productive!

Today was another busy day, but not with housework. We went to breakfast with the kids and then we all attended a memorial service for my Aunt and Uncle. Yep, another one .. This one was a bit different. My Uncle Gordon passed away almost a year ago, but my Aunt Bev had Parkinson's and was in no condition for a funeral. Their 7 children decided to have a small family and close friends service for my Uncle. My Aunt passed away 2 weeks ago. This time the kids decided to do a memorial for both of them .. it really turned out lovely. There were quite a few people there and it was nice to share stories and pictures of them with everyone. They had been married 53 years. Quite an inspiration for sure. Anyway, the reason I really am posting about this is because the Pastor shared a poem that I wanted to share with you. I had never heard this poem and after hearing it and then reading it I thought it was thoughtfully written and definitely worth the ponder and some dialog. I've emailed it to a few friends. I'm looking forward to all the discussions ... what are your thoughts??

The Dash
copyright 1996 Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a 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 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 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
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 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 spend your dash?

Thank you all for your wonderful support and fun comments. I really didn't think I would do more than share my stitching with you, but you know, I'm enjoying sharing other things too .. I just hope that the sharing of losing people close to me stops soon.

I did do some stitching this weekend .. no pictures because they are both for exchanges. I do have to take some pictures of PT tomorrow .. it's so pretty!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

I hope you find your joy in your stitches ...

I'm grateful for the little things ...

10 comments:

Kim B said...

I don't know if it's just that that is really powerful, if it's the raging postpartum hormones, or a combination of both...but I seriously just about lost it reading that! Thanks for sharing it Michele!

Cindy F. said...

Love the poem Michelle! It does make you think. Thanks for sharing:)

Nic said...

Very true. It's not how long your life is, it's what you do with it and who you touch...

Chris said...

Beautiful poem. Thanks for sharing.

Jean said...

I'm sorry for your loss. You certainly have had more than your share! You are in my thoughts often.

I love the poem. It made me think about my life and little changes that might make big differences!

I love the tulips on your header - they make me feel very calm when I open your page!

Carolyn NC said...

This is such a beautiful poem, Michelle!

mainely stitching said...

That's a wonderful, thought-provoking poem. I really love the idea of having their memorial service together like that. I'll have to mention it to Niek. It seems very right that after 53 years together, their goodbye should also take place together.

Wishing you well!

Karen said...

wow! really makes you think. thanks for sharing sweetie!

Michelle said...

Michele,

I'm so sorry for your loss..I have heard this poem before and it does make you think~

Hugs,
Michelle

stitcherw said...

You have been having a lot of losses to deal with. The memorial service for them both sounds a wonderful idea. That way people were able to celebrate their life and what they meant to them. The Dash is a great poem. I've seen it before and thought how it really does sum up what's important.
Sue