It’s funny how people come to mind
After so many years have past
But a poem I read the other day made me do something at long last
Your father and husband touched the lives of many
Of which, I’m sure you are not surprised
The shows that were shared by all
Faith, love, respect, and values are what they comprised
What was seen on the TV screen
Stemmed from a passion that lied within
He sought to take on the world’s problems
And addressed them again and again
He seemed to be a man that stuck to his own principles
Battled for what he believed
Blatantly honest at times perhaps
But not one to gloat as to what he had achieved
His sense of humor and positive ways
Made people feel safe and at ease
Always a smile, a kind word of encouragement
Made for an overwhelming desire to please
You can tell that he knew hardship
Something we all face that is true
But he knew the importance of telling someone you love them
Before each day was through
Please keep in mind these thoughts are only opinions
Based on what a fan has perceived
A lot said about a man I never met
But they are heartfelt and well believed
I’m sure there are things we don’t know about him,
And sadly never will
But my desire to express his impact
Is what this poem plans to fulfill
I’m an educator that has seen the effects of today’s TV on children
I hear the stories they tell about their favorite shows
They play fight on the playground,
Calling each other names, only mimicking what they watch, as the saying goes
It seems comedies must have adult humor
Dramas as close to real life as can be
But where are the shows that teach values,
That families can sit down together and see?
Now, in this rat-racy world
It’s easy to say there isn’t time for that
And I’m sure if Little House was still in prime time
It would be passed over and probably laughed at
But I know there are kids still watching
As the repeats are shown in syndication
And for a child coming from a broken home
Little House might be their only salvation
Michael is still touching the lives of many
And hopefully will for years to come
I close by sharing a poem called "The Dash"
By Linda Ellis is where it comes from
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 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?
Paula K.
Washington
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