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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