A Tribute To Another Dearly Departed Friend

The Dash Of Life

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 the date of his birth

and spoke of the second with tears,

but, he said what mattered the most of all

was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

that he spent alive here on earth,

and now only those who loved him know

what that little line was worth.

For it matters, not how much we won, 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 that you'd like to change?

for you never know how much time is left,

you could be at " dash mid-range "

If we could just slow down enough to consider

what's true and what is real,

and always try to understand

the way folks 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 last a little while.

So when your euology is being

read with your life's actions to rehash

would you be pleased with what they say,

about how you spent your dash?

In Loving memory Of

Robert Allen Pippen

" Bob "

April 27, 1935-June 17 2012

On Friday June 22 I attended a Memorial Service

for a long time friend.

This is something I find myself doing a lot more

than I like to but at my age sadly it will continue

to happen as a lot of my friends are as old or

older that me.

The dates on the tombstone will show the date

Bob was born and the date he passed away but

what matters to his family and friends as the poem says was the dash in between.

They showed a beautiful slide tribute to Bob and it was easy to see that he had lived a very fulfilling life up to

ten years ago, then he had a major stroke.

What I took away the most from the video was that after his stroke, due to the loving care of his devoted wife Julie and his family and friends was the fact that Bob was never shut out of their lives. Pictures of him at the bowling lanes, at the golf course, holding his beloved grandson, his dogs and often with a big smile on his face.

God Bless his family and friends for always treating him just the way they always had and staying faithful to him.

My daughter had her major stroke two years after Bob and sadly she has not had the type of support from family and friends that Bob did.

I called her up right after Julie called me and told her about Bob. Over the phone I could tell how sad and hurt she was.

Martha goes back a long way with Bob and Julie. Her and Bubba bowled with Julie for many years and Bob was always there.

Martha actually married them on New Year's Eve 21 years ago.

Martha has a hard time talking but she called me all excited and after a bit of a struggle I was able to determine that she had talked to Julie after I did and she was so excited about that.

I just assumed that Julie had called her. When I got to the church Julie said I talked to Martha and she was excited about that. I said thank you for calling Martha, she oh no Joe she called me. It brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eyes that Martha had actually called her.

So Rest In Peace Dear Bob, free from all your struggles of the last ten years. I would almost bet that Bubba was one of the first ones to greet you when you got to Heaven.

Bob and Julie had three great passions, bowling, golf, and bingo.

I don't know where this poem came from but it was on the program and was so appropriate for any one who bowls or has ever bowled.

A Bowler's Prayer

Heavenly Father,

May we always be strong in our purpose of living by the rules of the game.

May we accept the 10 frames of your commandments, not only as a challenge, but as an opportunity to distinguish ourselves in your service.

May we choose for ourselves a lane through life, which is straight and true.

May our grip on ourselves be a firm one.

May we tow the line of all out obligations.

May our approach to life be smooth and steady.

May there be no split between you and me.

O' Lord, whether you strike or spare me, give me the strength like your servant Job, to praise your holy name and when you come O'Lord to check the final score sheet, may it find a winner in this tournament of life, whose praise is as rich so that all of us may share it.

AMEN