1932—-2009

This is the day, 79 years ago, that my Mom was born.  She was born and lived in North Carolina until she married Pop and moved to Alabama.  And here she stayed until she moved to her heavenly home.

I think of her so often, and I know many others do also.  When you speak of her to me, it is as if I am seeing her again through your eyes.  When I hear you say that you remember her kindness, or her dedication to her church and missions, or when you tell me of special notes she wrote to you…it reminds me again of how blessed I was to call her Mom.  She loved to pick out special gifts for others, and I could not even begin to tell you how many of her most delicious pound cakes she made to give to friends she loved.

I have written of her often on this blog, and you have so kindly read and commented accordingly.  But, I  have nothing new to add today.  I’ve probably said all there is to say several times over…(I have a tendency to do this more and more the older I get).  That’s OK…I’m just ‘taking after’ her…she did it, too.  🙂

In my files of things I like, I have this poem.  I am sorry that I do not know who to attribute it to.  But, whomever it was who wrote it, did an excellent job.  My Mom lived her dash well.  And, I am grateful to have been there to see so much of it.  And, I am grateful that my children and Joy’s children were there to see how she lived it as well.  As I have said before…she was a wonderful example and we were blessed to live in her heart…as she lives on in ours.

HOW YOU LIVE YOUR DASH

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 her 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 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’s being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?