During one of our recent services, I shared a poem that many of you may already know. I often like to begin with a poem because sometimes the words of a poet express things far more beautifully than we can ourselves. They also give us something we can take away and reflect on, whether we receive a personal message during the service or not.
The poem I shared is called “The Dash Between.” by Linda Ellis. It carries a simple but powerful message.
If you imagine a gravestone, you will see two dates — the year someone was born and the year they passed away. Between those two dates is a small horizontal line: the dash.
That dash represents everything in between. It represents every moment of a person’s life.
Every laugh.
Every tear.
Every kindness.
Every memory.
And when you really think about it, that tiny dash holds an entire lifetime.
Life Moves Quickly
One of the reasons this poem feels so meaningful is because life seems to move incredibly quickly. The days pass, the months pass, and before we realise it, years have gone by.
We are all blessed with opportunities during our time here on Earth — opportunities to love, to support one another, to learn, and to grow. The poem reminds us that what truly matters is not what we own or accumulate, but how we choose to live within that dash.
Our kindness, compassion, and love are what shape the legacy we leave behind.
Feeling the Weight of the World
At the moment, life can feel difficult. Many people are struggling with the pressures of everyday life. The world itself often feels heavy, and for those of us who are sensitive or spiritually aware, those feelings can become even stronger.
We are not only earthly beings — we are spiritual beings as well. Because of that, we often feel the emotions and difficulties of others around us.
We feel for our friends, our families, and even strangers we pass in the street.
Finding the balance between acknowledging the challenges of the world while still holding onto hope is not always easy.
The Small Moments Matter Most
Yet the message of the poem reminds us that the most important parts of life are often the simplest ones.
When we think about loved ones who have passed into spirit, we rarely remember only the big occasions like birthdays or anniversaries.
Instead, we remember the everyday moments.
The laughter.
The silly things that made us smile.
The conversations that meant something.
The hugs, the kindness, the shared memories.
Those moments are the real substance of the dash.
Our lives are not defined only by major milestones. They are shaped by countless small acts of love and connection.
A Gentle Reminder
Spirit often reminds us that although life may feel overwhelming at times, it is still okay to smile. It is okay to acknowledge when we have had a good day. It is okay to feel gratitude for the small blessings that appear in our lives.
Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply continue doing the best we can.
That alone can make a difference.
We Are Living in the Dash
The poem leaves us with a beautiful reminder: we are living in the dash right now.
Our loved ones who have passed into spirit are remembered through the dash they left behind — through the love, memories, and kindness they shared.
And each of us is still writing our own.
Every smile, every act of compassion, every moment of connection adds meaning to that line between the dates.
The dash may appear small when written down, but it holds the story of an entire life.
And that story is still unfolding.
This blog is from a transcript of Claire Pasterfield’s address at our service on 8th March 2026. Edited by AI, Reviewed by a Human.
