“LIVE FOR TODAY”
by: Nita Wheeler

Have you ever wished,
when a day went wrong
a wish that’s quite in vain
that it were only possible
to live that day again

You’d start out in the morning
with the prayers you should have said
and through the days your actions
with tolerance be led

The many little instances
that tried your patience, true
if only you could start again
you’d know now what to do

You’d kneel and say your evening prayers
Thank the Lord and Lady above
for all the pleasant hours past
your heart at peace with love

But since this is a wish in vain
and never can be true
there’s only one alternative
just one thing you can do

To live today in such a way
that when tomorrow comes
the memories of yesterday
will all be cherished ones.

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 the date of her birth
and spoke of the 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 here alive on earth….
And now only those who loved her
know what that little line was 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,
you could be at “dash mid-range”.

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.
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’s being read
with your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of things they say
about how you spent your dash?