It’s a Crime to Be Unhealthy!
By Susan Holloway, M.S. Home Economics Child Development-Family Relations
Retired Teacher of JMCSS and Madison County Extension
I recently attended the funeral of a 34-year coach and teacher in West Tennessee. He was almost 80
years old with many physical limitations but mentally and socially very active. He spent time with former
students by calling or visiting them at a local café. He had his life-long friends prepared to speak at his funeral.
He was such a loving person who lived for others more than himself. Two men had no trouble speaking for 1½
hours about him. Wow! I thought. What will be said about me? Immediately I recalled a short but powerful
poem. See how this affects the healthy way you choose to live your life.
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 of the following date with tears
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.
For that date 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?
