Me & my "Vyki-Mom" in Chicago - July 2009I 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 her 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 that little line is worth.
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
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?
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 her 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 that little line is worth.
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
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?
My wonderful friend, Vyki left us on Tuesday and is now finally cancer-free. Her "dash" was amazing. An incredible example to me. I've had this terrible heaviness in my belly the last several days. It does make it easier to know she is still here for me. And I have a new reason in my life to live right. So I can be able to be with her again.
I'm sure I'll be able to write more about Vyki another day. About all the things she has taught me. About how she always made me feel so important. About how I have never met a more remarkable person and I am so blessed to have been able to know her for the short time I did. Today, though, it hurts and all I can say is I miss her.
I am so thankful to her family, especially Amanda & Ben, for sharing "Mom" with me.
"I've heard that in the next life if we were faithful to the end that we will have a mansion waiting for us. I also believe that we have been building our mansions here on earth. Each kind word or deed has added a brick. By now Vickie has one of the largest mansions in heaven, but that is good, because she will want room for all of us to be with her." -perfectly said by Lori, her sister.
I love you, Vyki
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