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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The Loss of a family friend

Last week my brothers best friend Joe was tragically assaulted and killed last week.  He was only 31 years old. He leaves behind his 7 year old son, 3 brothers and a sister and many many friends and family members.  As tragic as it was the family decided to give the gift of life by donating his organs to help other families. From what I was told his pancreas already cured someone from type 1 diabetes.  I think what his family did was truely amazing and we all should consider organ donation.

   So if your reading this...please tell your loved ones(including your best friends) just how much you love them. Give them tighter hugs and extra kisses. Live like everyday is your last and enjoy every moment. 

I read this a long time ago and I thought I share:


HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH?

 by Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He told of 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 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 small line is worth.

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 what 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 that 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.

We could 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
Will you be proud of the things they said
About how you spent your dash?