The poem says it all

It was Neil's (AKA Mr Baldy) funeral yesterday and to celebrate his life he had a sell out standing room only turn out.  Knowing him he'd have been embarrassed by all the fuss but he touched so many people's life's without realising it. 
He'd have enjoyed the banter and the stories and be delighted that I talked some of his friends into entering a triathlon as a relay team in memory of Neil and raising money for The Beatson Centre where he was looked after so well.  I have included the poem that was read out as there is a very important message in it for all of us.  I'll let the poem d the talking.

The Dash Poem

I read of a man who stood to speak,
At the funeral of a Friend.
He referred to the dates on this tombstone,
From beginning ….to the end.

He noted that first, came his date of birth,
And spoke the following tears.
But he said what mattered most of all,
Was the dash in between those years.

For the dash represents,
All the time he spent alive on earth.
And how only those who loved him,
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters most 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 is 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
And how your spent your dash?

By Linda Ellis