Monday Motivations: How Are You Spending Your Dash?

Last Saturday we attended funeral services for a dear friend who was vibrant and loving, even to the end of her 2 1/2 year battle with brain cancer at the young age of 49. Two days ago we held funeral services for my Father-in-law, who passed at age 83; having lived a full and productive life, he was also taken by cancer. We are grateful his illness was fairly short and did not drag out his suffering.

Interacting with a friend and family member in their last days and reflecting upon their time on this earth during the celebrations of their lives reminded me of this poem written by Linda Ellis. Reading it always makes me contemplate how I am spending my "dash".

The Dash

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 her date of 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 the 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

May last only a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read

With your life's actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

RIP:

Wesley Douglas Hobbs, Jr. 1925 - 2012

Julie A Jacobsen 1962 - 2012

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Monday Motivations: The Duck and The Devil!

A little boy was visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner.

As he was walking back he saw Grandma’s pet duck. Out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly. He hit his mark square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, and looked up to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, “Sally, let’s wash the dishes.” But Sally said, “Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen.” Then she whispered to him, “Remember the duck?”. So Johnny did the dishes.

Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, “I’m sorry but I need Sally to help make supper.” Sally just smiled and said, “Well, that’s all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help.” She whispered again, “Remember the duck?” So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of doing both his chores and Sally’s, he finally couldn’t stand it any longer. He went to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, “Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you.” (end of story)

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done…and Satan keeps throwing it up in your face…whatever it is, you need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven.

He’s just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness, He not only forgives you, but He forgets. God is at the window.

If you carry hurt from someone who has wronged you in the past remember this...

Forgiveness changes the present, not the past. Forgiveness is a personal choice. It's not about condoning their actions or even reconciling with them. It's a choice you make to heal yourself. Letting go means deciding that you are not going to allow anger and bitterness to poison your life... neutralizing feelings of hurt and anger towards the offender. It's about taking control of your thoughts and emotions and not playing the part of the victim in your life story.

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Monday Motivations: You're Making A Cake!

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation.

A daughter is telling her mother how everything is going wrong; she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile her mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack. The daughter says, Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."

"Here, have some cooking oil," her mother offers. "Yuck!" says her daughter. "How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!" "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Mom, those are all yucky!"

To this the mother replies, "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works in the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!"

God loves you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He is always there and wants to reside in your heart.

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All pictures courtesy of Google Images

A Heart Attack For Valentine's Day!

Want to give someone you love an unforgettable Valentine’s gift? How about a HEART ATTACK?!

Exactly 10 years ago, I was in the middle of chemo treatments and surgeries for breast cancer. A group of teenage girls from church gave me a Heart Attack for Valentine’s Day. They very quietly “attacked” our house, plastering the front door and walls around the door with hearts full of sweet Valentine’s messages. I'm still amazed that I didn't hear the giggling and shhhh's that were going on as I sat in the living room on the other side of the door.

When the doorbell rang. I wasn't expecting anyone, but it was not completely unusual for a friend to drop by to check on how I was doing and drop off a treat. As I opened the door I saw that it was plastered with hearts. I looked to see who was there...no one! Where a visitor would be standing was a plate of heart cookies. I looked up and saw that the walls of the house were covered in hearts as well.

I just stood there and cried. (In my defense, chemo does a number on your emotions.) But honestly, it was just the sweetest gesture of love from these wonderful young women.

 Sample of Hearts

I wish that I had thought enough to take pictures of the house, but I didn't. But I did keep every single heart that attacked our home. There were hearts of all size, from the size of a full sheet of paper to as small as the end of my finger. There were a variety of shapes; some were carefully measured and drawn, others roughly cut by hand. Some had words written on them, others were plain. One was even glued together to resemble the head of a puppy.

I'll never forget that act of love from someone who cared. It's the best HEART ATTACK I could receive!!


This post is in honor of Rachel (@ccchronicles) and Susan (@whymommy) who both lost their battle with breast cancer yesterday, Feb 6th, 2012. You are remembered.

Question: What act of kindness has someone given you that would be great to pay forward?