The Dash

Corazon C. Aquino (25 January 1933 - 01 August 2009) is being laid to rest today.  Even in death, she is able to gather the Filipino nation together.

May her soul rest in peace.  She has gone a long way from a quiet housewife to becoming the first female president of the Philippines.  May what she and her husband Ninoy stood for remain strong within the Filipinos for many years to come.

I think Cory can be proud of her dash. 

THE DASH

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 birth

And spoke the following date with tears

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For the dash represents all the imte

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?