the key is, never go to bed angry with one another.

have fun, and laugh.

and always have love, just have love.

-a wise innkeeper

here's to hoping

The Dash - Linda Ellis

.

There was 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

.

for that dash stands for 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

.

we'd 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 you eulogy is being read

with your life's actions to rehash

woudl you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent your dash?

Doing all the little tricky things it takes to grow up,

step by step, into an anxious and unsettling world

-Sylvia Plath

you were always my favorite part.

i like this:

The Journey

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice --

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late enough,

and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do --

determined to save

the only life you could save.

-Mary Oliver, "Dream Work"

i agree.

saying goodbyes

change is hard, i should know.

we are always walking on a tight rope.

words to remind.

THE GUEST HOUSE

This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice.
meet them at the door laughing and invite them in.

Be grateful for whatever comes.
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

-- Jelaluddin Rumi

pay attention to the sky.