Wednesday, May 25, 2005

THE WORLD MOURNS AND REMEMBERS ITS DEAD

By Bill Ellis
Special to ASSIST News Service

SCOTT DEPOT, WV (ANS) -- I do not recall being anywhere on the six major continents where the people do not mourn the death of loved ones. We do not enjoy the demise of those we love and know.

In the United States we celebrate Memorial Day on the last Monday in the month of May. Years ago it was commonly referred to as “Decoration Day” when family members would place flowers on the graves of family and friends. That custom is still observed. We do remember our dead.

Members of my mother’s family, the descendants of my grandparents, Alex and Margaret Short Perry, will gather at the home of my cousin, Margaret, on the Sunday before Memorial Day. After we have eaten together many will make their annual visit to the Perry Cemetery, up Sugar Camp Hollow, at Decota, WV, near the headwaters of Cabin Creek.

In addition to the Perrys there are also grave markers for such names as Hodge, Stanley, Grounds, and others. They were housewives, coal miners, farmers, military veterans, timbermen -- grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, uncles and aunts. They were the people who made significant contributions to the lives of many who knew and followed them. Important things happened between their dates of birth and death. They did not live in vain.

A poem, written by Lucille Britt, has had a powerful impact on my life. I pass it on to you. It is called, “The Dash Between The Dates.”

“Memorial Day was over now.
All had left and I was alone.
I began to read the names and dates
Chiseled there on every stone.
The dates which showed whether it was Mom or Dad
Or daughter or baby son.
The dates were different but the amount the same,
There were two on every one.

“It was then I noticed something,
It was but a simple line;
It was the dash between the dates
Placed there, it stood for time.
All at once it dawned on me
How important that little line.
The dates placed there belonged to God,
But that line is yours and mine.

“It’s God who gives this precious life
And God who takes away;
But that line between He gives to us
To do with what we may.
We know God’s written the first date down
Of each and every one,
And we know those hands will write again,
For the last date has to come.

“We know He’ll write the last date down,
And soon, we know, for some.
But upon the line between my dates
I hope He’ll write ‘well done.’ ”

What happens during the “dash time” determines the measure and value of a person’s life. Length of days is not the important component of life. Some lives are very short, others are long. Not only on Memorial Day, but throughout the year we should pay the proper respect for all those who have lived.

The Bible states: “People die once, and after that they are judged. Likewise, Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of humanity, and after that he will appear a second time. This time he will not deal with sin, but he will save those who eagerly wait for him.” (Hebrews 9:27-28, GOD’S WORD). We live and we die. We are remembered by the “dash” and what we did during that time.

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Bill Ellis is a syndicated columnist, and convention and conference speaker on every continent. He is the writer of more than 1600 columns and widely known as a motivator utilizing enjoyment of life and just plain fun and laughter while speaking to high school, university and professional sports teams as well as to business and professional groups of all kinds. His keen understanding of human problems make him a favorite speaker for youth, parent, and senior adult meetings. He is accompanied by Kitty, his wife, favorite singer, editor and publisher. For information on becoming a subscriber to the Ellis Column for your newspaper or magazine, you may contact him at: BILL ELLIS, P.O.Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560 or by calling: 304-757-6089.

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