Today the Embro Thistle Singers had the pleasure of taking part in the decoration service for the Embro Cemetery. We sang at the Knox Presbyterian Church one block south of our "home" base at Knox United. What a delightful group of people and a lovely building. We really enjoyed our time.
Hurrah for the fabulous singers who came and did a great job adding to the service by singing the hymns and Oh Canada as well as our contribution of Because We Believe, Hallelujah and You Raise Me Up. The music was an important part of the service but the part that made it really special was Anne Hollis' message.
She said that as a child she often visited the pioneer cemetery near her home and wondered what people had done with their lives. On the tombstones, you see the dates of birth and death and all the rest is represented by a small DASH. Anne reminded us that it is up to us how we live that dash.
So have you always wanted to sing but weren't sure you could? Join a choir. If you are afraid of a audition, find a community choir like ours that wants you if you are willing to learn and work with the team. Whatever you do, don't let your music go unsung. My lifelong dream is to conduct an orchestra. I will do that.
Thank you Anne for another wonderful message. Thank you
If music is a passion then make it happen for you. Don't let your dash not be filled with all that is in your heart.
Here is the poem, How Do You Live Your Dash?. As with many poems that say great things, it is by Anonymous.
HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR 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. (1934-1998)
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.
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
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 the things they say
About
how you spent your dash?
Author Unknown…