Tuesday Truths, June 10, 2025
Losing a loved one has a way of bringing clarity to what really matters. It’s time to let us know that it’s time to live in the “DASH,” with a reflection on our lives.
Recently, after attending a good friend’s dad’s memorial service, who lived into his 90s. I’ve found myself reflecting deeply—not just on the lives of those we’ve lost, but on my own life, and the legacy I want to leave behind.
Today…. I want to share something powerful and timeless with you—a short poem that always gives me pause. It’s called “The Dash” by Linda Ellis.
It reminds us…. “That it’s not the date we’re born or the date we pass that truly matters, but how we live the dash…our life in between.”
That little dash on a gravestone—that’s our life. Our joys, our struggles, our growth, our impact in this world.
As many of us navigate the loss of loved ones, both young and old, it’s a good moment to reflect. Are we living in the Dash with purpose? With passion? With love?
Let’s stop waiting for “someday” to matter. Let’s start living our legacy now.
I’ll read the poem for those who haven’t heard it—and think about what your Dash means to you.https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Dash.html?id=7cyrEAAAQBAJ&source=kp_book_description.
“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 the tombstone from the beginning …. To the end.
He noted the first came the date of birth and spoke the tears, but he said what mattered the most of all was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time that they spent on earth. And now only those who loved them 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 spent our dash.
So, think about this long and hard. Are there things you’d like to change? For you can never know now 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 never loved them before.
If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile. Remembering 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 you spent YOUR dash?”
We all have a Dash—a space between two dates.
That space holds our stories, our struggles, our growth, our laughter, our love. It’s where we find our purpose and follow our passions.
That Dash is our chance to live fully, to leave something meaningful behind—not just in memory, but in how we touched others.
So, I ask you today: How are you living your Dash? Are you waiting for the “right time” to follow your dreams? Are you holding back your light, your voice, your purpose?
Whether you’re in your 40s or your 80s, it’s never too late to live the legacy you want to leave.
Every day is a chance to make that Dash matter.
Until next time….
Trust your Truths. Let’s live boldly. Let’s live with AGE-GILITY.
And let’s leave a Dash that tells the story of a life fully lived.
Bye for now!