More Bucket List stuff

The other night at Bible study Pastor H. told one of the class members how learning to surf was on his bucket list. Today would be a good one for trying his hand, or his feet!, at surfing, with the wickedness of the waves with this passing storm. But, I simply cannot picture this grandpa on a surf board! 

A couple days ago my neighbor, Gus, came up for a visit. At first he came with Connie to see a large sea creature floating on its side in the river. She determined it was a large red (red what??) but it could have easily have been a small dolphin. The fish is presently being bashed against the rocks by the wild river we are experiencing today. Gus was just coming back from lunch with his friend and decided to hang out up here for a bit. 

He kept telling me how he's been in my home before but never really looked around very much---likely when I am having a flood! Gus insists I get the paints out again, trash my river room with the supplies (my words, not his), and start cranking out some work. I would sooner do that in my room than in there, because I can close the doors to this room!

He enjoyed the art work, the glass, the collections, and my stories of where the various pieces came from. I enjoyed his company! Gus promised to come back some time to look at my scrapbooks, as he is Greek and would like to see the photos. 

Gus mentioned how getting some Chihuly glass was on his 'bucket list'. He told me how he came close to buying some expensive pieces of glass a couple years ago. He passed up the opportunity then and is glad now he did, due to the market falling apart. I hope someday Gus can get a nice piece of glass and not too far off, as he is in his mid-70's already!

Sweet Gus---sadly he told me he has trouble remembering the dates on his parents' grave markers, and that of his wife, but he remembers the 'dash' in between. He was happy that I knew of the poem about the 'dash'. 

The Dash

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 the date of her birth

And spoke of 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 love 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 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 read

With your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

Part of my 'dash' was spent with Gus, and with various lady friends this past week. And, of course, with Justin. He is likely going to be moving next month and I am adjusting my mindset to that fact. I can swallow the larger electric bill and eating home cooked meals for a bit longer.....