Thursday, July 21, 2011
To the Horvath Family, Uncle Ernie was an incredible, funny and loving man. I feel so blessed to have known my Great Great Uncle for as long as I did. I will forever keep memories of running up and down the stairs at my Great Grandma Helen's house to visit Uncle Ernie and Aunt Wanda who always had fun things for me to do, All the St. Peter's picnics we went to and so many more memories that I will hold dear to my heart. Remember the good times our family had with him because we all know how much fun and what a jokester he was. My condolences go to the whole family. He will be missed. Below is a poem called "the dash" that I feel eases some of the pain of the loss, and focuses on what a truly wonderful life Ernie had. 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 his tombstone From the beginning to the end He noted that first came her date of his 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 he spent alive on earth. And now only those who loved him 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? I think Uncle Ernie's dash is something the Horvath family is proud of. Love, Elizabeth Uccello
