To the Editor:

As a father, uncle, and citizen of this great country, I find myself listening, reflecting and reviewing how we all can leave a lasting legacy to the next generation. In spite of all the cacophony and calamity we see and hear every single day – I found a poem, The Dash by Linda Ellis, which we sent out on the passing of my father-in-law last year, and felt its words and spirit would resonate to the best in all of us, on how temporary life is and how precious a gift every day truly is. Happy and Healthy New Year to all, and here’s to putting this pandemic behind us and aiming higher in 2022.

The Dash by Linda Ellis

“I read 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 that first came the date of birth and spoke of 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 they spent alive on earth and now only those who loved them know what that little line is worth.

For it matters most 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 still can be rearranged.

To be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives liked 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 lived YOUR dash?”

Chris N. Karalekas

Huntington, NY