Time Flies So Quickly / It's Almost Christmas in July

I have been working on a variety of projects at home this week so not much time for blogging.  I can't believe it's already July  1.  My husband's birthday is tomorrow and I always tell the family that after his birthday, it's almost Christmas since the rest of the year flies by so quickly after that.  

I saw an interesting book while shopping at a thrift store yesterday titled The Dash by Linda Ellis which is basically a poem about life going quickly and making you think what you are doing with your life.    Often looking up an obituary you will see for example, 5/10/27-7/5/09.   The dash in the middle of the two dates  represents all the years of one's life in between birth and death.

In searching for the poem I discovered that it was written about 12 years ago and has been a phenomenon. Where have I been?  I read it for the first time  yesterday while waiting in the checkout line.  The book was lovely and relatively inexpensive if you're looking for a small gift item for a friend.   If you haven't read it, here you go...

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 the 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?

As is often the case, Scripture says it even better.

Psalm 90:10-12

As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years,

Or if due to strength, eighty years,

Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow;

For soon it is gone and we fly away. 

Who understands the power of Your anger

And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You? 

So teach us to number our days,

That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.