Linda Ellis’ poem, ”The Dash,” uses a metaphor, comparing life to the dash between the birth date and date of death on a person’s tombstone.
While I appreciate her point of living a purposeful life, I’ve never liked the image of that dash.
To me, a dash is a minus sign in math, a negative charge in chemistry. It’s the flatline that appears with a long annoying “beeeeep” sound right before the doctor calls time of death.
Instead of the minus sign, I picture a plus. How much better does it feel to visualize adding than subtracting or looking at a flat line, which only serves to remind us of a hospital machine?
Plus still starts with your birthdate plus everything you do until your last day on this earth. I was born + I learned how to walk + I learned to talk + I went to school + I had an amazing work life with multiple career experiences + I traveled the world + I lived a life with purpose + I pursued my passions + I encouraged others to live their best life, plus, plus, plus…keep the pluses going as you create a feeling of infinite additions that will make up the equation of your legacy.
How will the sum of your life add up when it’s time to give your final answer?
Karlynn Holbrook 