The Dash

Manage the things that you can control, be strong for the things you can't.
Those were the words delivered by her loved ones on behalf of a beautiful woman who lost her battle to the uninvited invader. Wise words. Experienced words. Words to live by.

All she asked is that we don't just mourn the loss, but to Celebrate Her Life. Celebrate they did,  the building burst at the seams to capacity yet loved ones still poured in for a chance to rejoice.

We spent that Sunday afternoon reminiscing in Kate's 'Dash'

The Dash Poem
by Linda Ellis

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 he 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.

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 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?

Stay true to your Training Plans. Crush your workouts. Execute a flawless Race. Above all else though, hug your loved ones and forgive your enemies for none of us know how long that dash is going to be.

Oh, and Cancer Sucks. Support a local riding buddy as he takes on the Ride to Conquer Cancer!

Please help contribute to this history-making event with a donation. Funds raised in The Ride to Conquer Cancer will support breakthrough research, exemplary teaching, and compassionate care at The Princess Margaret, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world.

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TRAINING:

Sunday: NONE - spent time with a loved one
Saturday: Run - 15Kms