DASH OF LIFE

On his headstone was a teddy bear
My emotions overwhelming,
I blink and try to hold back the tears.
His life was far too short. You see,
My son Joey was only three.

I looked upon this stone
That marked his place of sleep
The dates of his short lived life
From birth to passing, I continue to weep.

What mattered most of all
Was the little dash between those years
I know Joey wouldn’t want me to
Be so sad, and shed more tears.

That little dash represents his short time
That he spent alive on earth,
And now only the ones who loved him
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
Or the amount of time, or the worth of cash
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend the time of this dash.

So please think of this long and hard
Are there things you want to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
Your dash may be at half range.

If we could just slow down enough to consider
What’s true and what’s 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 done 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.

Love them like it’s the last time
Give them your all, what is there to lose?
Nothing to lose, but you have lots to gain,
And when your time comes, knowing that you truly loved
The overwhelming emotions will be filled with less pain