“The Dash” ~ a Poem by Linda Ellis
Mary Hart Wilheit is a woman of grace and love. 
We are honored that she is a current (and founding) NGCF Board Member, as well as a past Board Chair. One of the things we appreciate the most about Mary Hart is how she is always sharing her words of wisdom and encouragement everywhere she goes. Recently, at our North Georgia Community Foundation Board Retreat, Mary Hart shared a poem, “The Dash” by Linda Ellis. Then, she challenged our Board with this thought: “How are you living your ‘Dash’? What is it that will fill the moments of time from the beginning of your life, to the end?”
As we embark on this new year, whether you have heard this poem before or not, we encourage you to take a minute and read the words carefully. Think about your own ‘Dash.” Do you want to give more of your time? Your talents? Your treasures? How can you continue to live out and build your own unique legacy?
We wish you a very Happy New Year from our Board and Team here at the North Georgia Community Foundation!
The Dash Poem
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 first came the date of the birth and spoke the following date with tears.
But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between the years.
For that dash represents all the time that they spent life 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 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.
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?
