Cancer Survivors Network

Dear Kim:

Thanks for the lovely poem. God reminds me of this when times get rough. There are a couple more we could add to that collection. "THE DASH" by Linda Ellis - & - "ALONG THE ROAD" by Robert Hamilton Browning. I remember well one particular day when we experienced one of the most tragic times in our life. Out of the blue, God reminded me of this verse in John 16:33. "In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!" In other words, take the long look William & Loretta. The things you suffer today will not last forever. TRUST ME!
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THE 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 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 spent your dash?

Copyright 1996 Linda Ellis

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ALONG THE ROAD

I walked a mile with Pleasure;
She chattered all the way,
But left me none the wiser,
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow
And ne'er a word said she;
But oh, the things I learned from her
When Sorrow walked with me!

Robert Browning Hamilton

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William W. Marshall
AKA "William66"
Virginia Beach, VA

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