Friday, April 24, 2009

Love....



The outpouring of love has been overwhelming. Every virtual hug has been felt, every tear gently wiped away by unseen hands.

I wanted to share with you a poem that will be read at Mom's memorial service next Friday.

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 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?

50 comments:

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Oh Petey!

That is making my mom leak...

I'm sure there will plenty of leaky dashes next Friday...

In khase you are running out of 'em, here are some....

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Next Friday marks a year since my mom's most special furiend in the world's father passed away...it will be diffikhult day fur him too

Lucia said...

Jane, you have been in our thoughts so, so many times today. Please know that we continue to send our love and prayers to you, your family and all of your loved ones.

Take care of yourself, sweetie.

Lucia and her girl

Gus said...

oh my...making muzzer leak here too. And creating problems with the new contacts too! But we know that your Gramma spent her dash well, and hope you feel the love we are sending your way too.

gussie

the magic sleigh said...

Petey, what a beaWootiful poem. Made my Mommy leak too, as she is missing her brother, and others who are waiting at our bridge.
May your Mom cherish all the memories she has, and live every minute.

more hugs and puppy kisses-Kira

Rosie said...

That is such a great poem - it really makes you think about how we should all be spending our own lives. May your days be filled with beautiful memories of your mom that allow the sadness to pass.
Loves from pugs,
Rosie Marie

Mason Dixie said...

What a very nice poem. I am trully sorry for your loss. I remember my Grandmother passing away like it was yesterday and that was 9 years ago. I still think about calling her to tell her something or look for her when I have done something good. Grandmas are a wonderful thing. In time you will be able to smile and laugh again about all her crazy ways. Until then I am thinking of you. Liz

Lacy said...

Jane, Petey and Mica, what a beautiful poem...you have ur wonderful memories to remember her by..what would we do without those..i have been thinking of u today, and wish there was something i could do to ease the pain, but so far all i have is just words..thinking of u and keeping u in our prayers..

~rocky and mama~

Dughallmor Beagles said...

Yep, leaking again! What a truly moving poem, and such a beautiful photo of your dear Mom.
We continue to think of you and send our love and hugs to you.
Love,
Nicky & family
xxxx

Jake of Florida said...

We're so glad you added your granma's photo so we could see her beautiful smile and the love emanating from her face. Too too young to be taken so quickly.

The Brit say "mind the gap" at their subway stations.

We will now think "mind the dash" to be aware of how we spend the rest of our lives.

Wirey love to you- Jane, and Petey, and Mica!!

Jake and Just Harry and Joan

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

What a beautiful Mom you had!! that is such a great picture. We loved the poem and send our condolences to you and yours once again.

The OP Pack

Golden Samantha said...

I wish I'd had that poem to read at my own dad's funeral. It is very special. I'm so sorry for your loss and know grandma filled in her dashes bigtime. I leak now... and send you big hugs xo
Sammie

i said...

That's a beautiful poem. You're in our thoughts.

Mango the Maltese kiddo said...

How beautiful, Petey.
I'll memorize this, it touches me deeply:
"If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile,
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while."

Yes, we'll make the most out of that "little while".
Love y'all

Koobuss said...

She will never be forgotten. What a super lady!

Love and Koobuss Kisses,
Koobie

Lorenza said...

Petey.
The poem is beautiful.
You will keep forever all those great memories of your Grandma.
Thinking of you and your Mom.
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Asta said...

Petey
I love youw Gwamma's smiling face in that bootiful pictoowe..I'm so glad I had a chance to know hew. I know she filled in hew dash awfully well! A bootiful life to be celebwated!
smoochie kisses
ASTA

Tama-Chan, Benny, Vidock, Violette, Ollie, Heloise, Momo, Ryu said...

Beautiful poem and lovely photo. You are very much in our thoughts.

Woofs, Purrs and Love,
Tom, Tama-Chan, Sei-Chan and #1

Simba and Jazzi said...

Love that peom, we are all going to make the most of our dash.

Simba and Jazzi xxx

Martha said...

We just love that photo of your mom smiling out at the world. The poem says it all - it not about the dates but the life that was lived.
That is a good choice for the memorial service - your mom would approve!
We are thinking of you - remembering the pain of loss and wishing somehow we could wipe it all away for you and yet knowing that we cant. We are glad that you know that we all really do care and are wishing the hug was physical and not virtual.

All our love xxx

Molly the Airedale said...

What a beautiful poem! We are thinking about you and your mom, Petey and sending you lots of hugs!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Arran, Arthur and Mum said...

That's a great poem, and very true. Someone once said to me that the worth of a life is not measured on time spent, but on the love gived and recieved, I think that is true for your Mom.
We'll be thinking of you still at this hard time.
~Dee and Ludo

Mack said...

That is such a great poem and something to really think about.

We are sending hugs your way,

Mack & Co.

Nibbles Treats said...

Petey - our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Tinkerbell, Oscar and Tucker

Snowball said...

(((HUGS)))

Luv
Snowball

Ruby Bleu said...

Hi Petey and Jane....

We're sending lots of love, kisses and hugs!

Lots of Licks, Ruby (and Michele)

Daisy said...

What a beautiful poem! My thoughts are with your family. Soft purrs to you.

Scruffy, Lacie and Stanley's Place said...

Oh Petey...

We know you and your mom are comforting eachother...we so wish we could be there with you both to give you giant hugs....

Please know we are thinking of you all the time and that you're not alone...the love of many is surrounding you right now....

You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers...

Terrier kisses...

Scruffy, Lacie, Stanley
and Mumsie

Ms. ~K said...

I lost my mother 8 years ago...
A woman never truly grows up until she loses her mom...

Great poem and photo!
May your happy memories give you peace during this difficult time.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Kit

Joe Stains said...

what a wonderful poem Petey. We are certainly feeling for you and your Mom. Sending many more hugs and strength.

bbes tribe said...

Thanks for sharing that wonderful poem. So many good things to remember. It's a sad time but remember the good times and the memories do help.
Hugs
Ernie & Sasha

Clive said...

Jane

What a lovely photo of your Mum and that is a really beautiful poem.

Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers constantly.

Look after yourself
Fiona and family

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

Words, wonderful and wise.

I have been thinking of you.

Difficult times, but this post said it all.

J x

"Grief is the price we pay for love" I seem to have said this phrase, over and again just lately, but the words are simple and the meaning is true.


take care of yourself.........and remember the good times.

The Black and Tans. said...

Petey

Your Grandma had such a pretty smile. Thank you for sharing the lovely photo with us.

We will be thinking of you and your Mummy this coming week.

Take care.

Molly and Taffy

Chef said...

What a beautiful poem and this post is a lovely tribute to your gramma. We're thinking of you and your family, and sending our deepest condolences.

xo
Chef

Abby said...

Hi, Petey...

What a beautiful picture of your Gram...What a beautiful smile...

The poem was lovely...Thanks for sharing it...

You are in our prayers every day...

Much Love,
Abby & her Mom xxxooo

Eric said...

Jane, we came and had to go away - we had too many tears for you to write the first time.The photo of your Mom is wonderful, really captivating with her infectious, happy smile. And the poem is beautiful (haven't heard it before) I know your Mom lived her dash very wisely and well. You've chosen such a special and moving tribute. Sending you very much love and never ending comforting hugs across the miles. B xxxx

Dexter said...

We are so sorry to hear your news. Your poem says it all.

Mango Momma

Agatha and Archie said...

Oh Petey,We are all leaking very hard over here.We have been thinking of all of you alot and know what a hard time this is for all of you. We are quite sure your Grandma's dash was filled to the brim with love and laughter.....We send you all the hugs and strength we can through the words.....Love and kisses A+A+PL2

The 'splorin' Wolfies said...

i bet this beautiful woman spent her dash days well...sending blessings, love janice

Kelly said...

Spent all weekend thinking of you guys. Just wanted to send you a hug and let you know how much we all care!

Wimsey said...

I'm so sorry for your loss. Petey, kiss your humans for me.

Wimsey

TwoSpecialWires said...

We're feeling really bad that we got so far behind that we are just now learning about the loss of your mom and Petey's gramma. We love the picture of her. Her kind loving face just comes right out of the computer monitor. We wish there was something we could say that would make it a little easier for you, but we want you to know that we care and through our leaky eyes we loved the beautiful tribute we just read.

With warm wet kisses,
Fergi and Jake

Aki and Poopie said...

hello there Petey and family..

we are sorry about the news. if there is anything that we can do to help, please let us know.

we pray that you will be given the strength to endure this difficult chapter in your life. things will never be the same, we know, but we hope that you will all go through this with renewed spirits

you will be in our prayers.

Aki, Poopie and family

Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...

Dear Jane and family, We are so sorry for your loss. That poem is so pretty. A nice tribute to your dear mom. You are in our prayers.
love, Cassie & Patrick,
BabyRD & Hootie

Amber-Mae said...

Oh Petey, this is such a sad post. We all are still here thinking about you & your family. Please take care...

Smoochies,
Solid Gold Dancer

Jeannie and Marvin said...

Hi Petey and Mum, just called in to say "hello". Been thinking of you.

lots of virtual hugs, your friends, Jeannie and Marvin in Scotland xxxxxxx

Kelli said...

Hi Petey,
That poem was lovely and made my owner girls eyes all wet. It's hard to see past the sadness when we lose someone and that poem is a great way to remind us all to focus on the good and continue LIVING! Still thinking of you and yours,
Tibby & Family

Snowball said...

I hope your mommy is ok, Petey. Please give her some kisses and hugs from me.

Luv
Snowball

Two Schnauzers from New England said...

Hi, Petey -

What a nice tribute. We are so sorry for your loss and that we have not stopped by sooner. You and your family are in our thoughts.

Love -

Hershey and Kaci

Toffee said...

That is a beautiful poem and tribute.
xo
Toffee and leaky eyed mom