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Thank you for your talented writings. My dear husband. Henry
Passed away at age 77 sudden heart failure We were married
Almost. 58 years I loved him so dearly . God bless you,
Helen. Taylor
Dear Linda,
Your poem “THE DASH” is so appropriate for funeral services, but the first time I ever heard it was at an adult high school graduation ceremony. The speaker read it to the graduating class, explaining that the “dash” between a person’s date of birth and date of death on a tombstone represented what a person accomplished during his/her life. He used your words to encourage each graduate to make a “good” difference during their “dash”. I was the teacher of those students he was talking with, and I later ordered me a copy and have used your words in my own life since that time to encourage people to make a difference in their lives and those of others during their “dash”. Although I am now approaching age 65 and hope that I will have many more years of good health and life, I have requested of my family that your poem be read at my funeral and hope that my “dash” has touched the lives of others. Thank you for using your “dash” to touch lives also.
Hello there, just became alert to your blog through Google,
and found that it’s really informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I will be grateful if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
For Christmas I ordered five of the framed “Live Your Dash” for gifts. From my first reading, it became my favorite , most heart warming and touching poem. I sincerely love it as it expresses the “in between” we all should think about. I have a framed one on my family history wall. I very much want to order this poem on bookmarks but am told they are no longer available. PLEASE PLEASE make the bookmarks available again so many of us can keep a copy in our Bibles to remind us to “Live Your Dash”. Thank you.
Win Merier Gourley
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google,
and found that it’s truly informative. I am going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future.
A lot of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
Linda, I was wondering how large of print you have for the dash. I would like it over the bed and am looking for something big enough to see across the room. thank you
A beautiful,meaningful poem. I would like to read it at a friend’s thanksgiving service. A lady who did such good works in such a selfless way
Thank you.
When my husband died I had told my daughter what a beautiful story you wrote. To long to add to the prayer card, my grandson surpised me by reading “The Dash” at his funeral.
Have “The Dash” framed and in my office.
God Bless.
I heard the poem The Dash read at a funeral and it really touched my heart. Credit as the author was given to you. It touched my heart so much that I researched you then ordered your book and my son read your poem(on my behalf) last year at my Dad’s funeral and you were again acknowledged as author. I have told my son I want it read at my funeral also. It is awesome,and I have read more of your verses since and love them too. I also write poems and short stories.
I had purchased your book and DVD and gave it to a friend who was going through some difficulty. Tomorrow I will be officiating at a funeral for a friend of mine and will be reading your words of wisdom. Thank you for your insight and your wonderful work.
God bless
This poem was read at my mom’s funeral. So beautiful. First time i ever heard of it. Just finished the book, beautiful. Will help me get through my mom’s being gone. Thank you.
Very Inspiring
Thank you
A Raja
Very Inspiring espescially when down in life.I would love to find songs of Kevin Welch as suggested by one of the commenter any suggestion.
Thank you
wonderful thoughts put together in a perfect flow Linda !
love your poem …more of these ,as and when you can
Love
Poonam Bangalore India
Thank you
Dear Linda ;
Your poem touching my heart and soul , .I couldnot find the words that can express my feelings ann appreciation Linda .
God bless you,
Dr Arwa
Dear Linda,
I have been passed your poem, “Time of Your Life,” by Bob Proctor who sends me regular emails, and I want to express my gratitude to you for giving so much to mankind. I really love the way you express and choose the words which are so inspiring. Thank You.
Thank you for your writings. The other day I received the one TWICE AS MUCH. It sure hit the spot as my 47 year young nephew had passed away suddenly the day before.
Thank you once again
Marie
Your poem is poignant and special; my mom just passed away; may I have permission to use your poem at her funeral?
After nursing my husband with cancer who sadly passed away today I attended a funeral of a dear friend with much apprehension they read The Dash and I am still overwhelmed. Thank You
I’m nearly 80 years of age now and the words in ” The Dash ” touched me more than anything in my life .
Hello Linda:
I have read your poem over and over and am truly touched by this message. I read it at a memorial service last year (and acknowledged you by the way), and saw tears freely flowing. I know you have likely heard similar comments before, but be assured that THIS poem, truly does touch the heart and soul. I would like to share it again this year at a memorial service and would be delighted to be able to tell those gathered that you have given your personal approval. Thanks for the wonderful words of encouragement.
Good morning Ms. Ellis,
For the past 13 years I have mentored a young man (22 years old) who is blind and has Cerebral Palsy…becoming not only his best friend but somewhat a combination father and grandfather he never knew. His disabilities are due to the life style of his unwed parents and their addiction to drugs and alcohol. An automobile accident claimed the life of his pregnant mother (age 19) resulting in my friend being born three months premature…then at age five his father left home one day and never returned. By God’s grace, my friend survived and is blessed with a most positive attitude, Superior Autobiographical Memory and other skills that have allowed him to accomplish feats once though impossible…including graduation from high school. During the past few years he and I share our message of being the best you can be and the value of friendships at churches, schools, service clubs, businesses, and athletic teams. Recently I remembered reading your poem, The Dash, and since then we close our presentations by reciting The Dash, which fittingly reinforces our message. Thank you for sharing your wonderful gift of writing poetry…I proudly share your website with numerous people following each presentation.
Dear Linda I recently attended the funeral of an old family friend and the vicar read out the poem The Dash. What wonderful words and everyone that was there agreed with me. I would like to ask your permission to use the poem on my website as in some ways it ties in with my work and why I have clients.
DAvid D Roseburgh
Direcor of Research
Scottish Genealogy Research
http://www.scottishgenealogyreserch.com
Hello and thank you for your and your interest in The Dash. We are so glad you’ve been inspired by the words of the poem!
We would love for you to share The Dash with your readers. We do request that you post a link to the work where it can be read in its entirety instead of posting the text of this copyrighted work on any web site. The link to the “poem’s home” is: http://lindaellis.net/the-dash/the-dash-poem-by-linda-ellis/
Live Your Dash!
Good inspirational words.
Have you heard the song, “Life Down Here on Earth”, by Kevin Welch? It is somewhat your DASH book in song. If you have not heard it, you need to…it’s a very peppy little song that really gets you going.
Another Kevin Welch song I like is called “You Can’t Save Everybody”. Like you, I am an encourager…but as the song says “you can’t save everybody, everybody don’t want to be saved”. I have to sing this to myself at times when my patients are coming up with excuses why not, faster than I can come up reasons why to.
I have enjoyed your books, and so I want to just say thanks!
Vicki Latham P.A.-C.
I loved your poem, if only I had read or heard those words years before how different my life might have been. My wife passed away and I wrote this simple poem.
A beautiful face;
I close my eyes and try to remember the time and the place that I first saw that beautiful face,
That wonderful face that transcends time and space,
And, if I squint real hard I can almost trace all those lines,
That grace that beautiful face.
Pardon, if I stare,
Ohhhh! God I see that glare,
Then a sweet smile,
That let’s me know that the stare was well worth my while
My Grandfathers spirit left this world bound for heaven and during the memorial the pastor read your Dash poem and it was moving in a wonderful way. Thank you for sharing such beaty with the world.
Linda,
I have just read your poem which has really touched my heart in an undiscribable way. I had not heard about you before and now you can be sdure that I have become a fan of yours. Thank you for writing so beautifully. Love Camila
My grandmother died just three days ago and this was read at her memorial service. She had been battling MS for twenty years. And she left this world a beautiful strong woman.
I resently lost my mother, and I found this poem to have told the story of my mothers life as if it were written with her in mind.
It touched me like no other poem has ever done.
Much Thanks,
JT
Thank you, JT. I am so pleased you have connected with The Dash. Though I am sorry for your loss, I am glad my words have touched your life in a positive way. ~Linda
Your “Dash” poem is making me take a good long look at what I am doing with my life and what direction I am going in. Thank you so much. May God bless you always.
Wow! I really like your poem. I see my life in a different way. I might be only middle school going into high school but this has really done something. I am kinda quiet but i am now going to do someting large to be known.
i loved the poem it was a reminder to live life to the fullest because you never know if your going to live another day!!!!!!:):)
wow that was amazing i loved the poem it was the best
There has never been a book, poem, or poster that has touched me so as “The Dash”…We lost our son 8 years ago in a car accident and my little Dad one and half years after this and my Mother 11 months after that and I have shared this book with so many that are grieving as well. I bought the poster and had it framed beautifully for my husband’s 62 birthday…thank you and God bless you.
I first encountered The Dash, as a poem when a beloved clergyman friend, and mentor, died a few years ago. He truely lived the dash. I will soon participate in the 60th. anniversary reunion of my high school class, and will help to remember the members of our class whose dash has expired….and yet continues in memory.
Thank you for your inspiration.
i recently changed my life. over 75 days in a theruputic program. on hearing your poem is what changed me
Kathy, that is wonderful to hear! Thank you for taking the time to write and I am so glad my words have had a positive effect on your life. ~Linda
The first time I had ever heard this poem was at the unveiling of my son’s headstone. It was, and is, so beautiful and was very apropos as my son lived more life in his 29 years than most do in a full lifespan of 80+ years. Thank you.
I recently started back to college, a pact I had made with my son prior to his passing, and my Literature professor had mentioned the “dash” not realizing that there is a poem named “The Dash”. I forwarded the link so that he may be able to share and appreciate your beautiful poem. Again, thank you.
Thanke you fore the lovley poet it help me and give me comfort
It is important to live our lives to the fullest, open every door, experience every up and every down. We all too often let our lives past by to then realise we are running out of time. It”s never too late, just get up, step out and go do it!
Thank you! I Finally found the poem, The Dash many years ago I had heard it at a friends funeral and found it so inspiering… I want to send to a fried and her 2 girls who reasently lost thier, Husband and father to cancer, he was 50 yrs old…thanks again
Greetings from Denver!
I just ordered 5 of the framed prints. Can you kindly ensure that I have them Wednesday of next week?
thx,
Mike
Hello Mike…thank you for your order. We hope you’ve received your shipping notification that your order shipped out today, 8/17/12 Priority Mail. Live Your Dash!
hi, just heard this poem for first time last evening at a friend’s Memorial Service and thought it very clever and inspiring; particularly liked the emphasis on caring about other’s feelings and being loving above all things; life really is too short a dash for aught else; a hearty Thank You Very Much, Linda.
I have found “The Dash”to be one of the most inspirational pieces of poetry or prose I have ever had the pleasure of reading. My wife died just a few months ago and it has been quite helpful.
How do I get permission to use this lovely piece at funerals.
With every blessing,
Dennis Vanderwolf
Dennis, reciting The Dash is always welcomed and appreciated. (It is when it is printed, distributed or posted on the Internet that we require a licensing agreement.) Thank you for your inquiry. We are pleased The Dash has comforted you during this difficult time. We offer our condolences and sympathy…
Linda….this poem could not have come at a better time. A friend of mine recently lost her husband unexpectedly. He was 36 years old. They have 3 children. I am going to send this to her.
Thank you… Jean
Once again, I am so Grateful that you chose to send me your latest poem called Necessary Rain.
Every time I receive a poem…. it shows your tremendous talent of being connected to nature and expressing it so deeply perfect… even though the ols adage says .. ‘there is no such thing as perfect’… Wising well at all times!
Thank you Linda for this beautiful poem. It was very timely. I cannot find the words to express how amazing you are. I look forward to each and every email you send with your new writings. I will look forward to hopefully, Book 3 with the newest writings/poems. Blessings to you
Thank you so much for this poem. . We had A Life Celebration for My Youngest Daughter Ashley 25 yrs young, who passed away June 24th of a vehicle accident. . My Uncle Joe read this at the memorial late night. . it moved everybody so much . . it was Wicked-Cool. . My daughters and I had heard the poem years ago . . so it had special meaning when he read it, cause my daughter loved it too.
I just want to say thank you again for this beautiful, touching, meaningful poem and expression of word and life. .
Just Ashley;s Blessed Mamma, Retha and her Big Sis Candice . . Love and Light to You All
Blessed Be
I have appreciated life always for each day that it brings, but after a spinal stroke/migraine…. The Dash became a true reality to me. We never know when our last moments are going to be here. The simpler we live our lives….the better. Love, cherish and live for today and let God take care of the rest.
I LOVE these dash products! I wear my wristband to work to remind me and my co-workers to live life!! Thank you, Linda!
I was wondering if you sell the “Live your dash” pewter bracelets like i saw on your facebook photos. Thank you for your time!