I just returned from honor guard assignment for a young man who died in a fire department line of duty death in Hartford County, MD. The circumstances of how he died are tragic but not important to this post. On the way up to the funeral one of my colleagues received a phone call that one of his family members had just passed, we offered to turn around but we continued up the road to do the right thing and support our mission. While I was seated in the honor guard ready room I had a chance to read a poem I had heard before, in fact just a few weeks back when the mother of another public service brother was morning his loss of her. I knew him from my early days at the rescue squad. Im sure all of you know I lost a nephew New Years Day and told my honor guard commander, I had to do this memorial service for Erik Steciak, to pay forward the support I received when Noah Marks who was not a part of any fire, rescue, or law enforcement agency just my brothers son received such wide reaching support. The Poem is titled The Dash and I hope it helps you too. I know its important to me and how I think about my nephew Noah! by 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 her date of her 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 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? © 1996 All Rights Reserved, Linda Ellis
Posted on: Sun, 18 Jan 2015 22:28:58 +0000
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