HAPPY BIRTHDAY COREY! 24…how in the world did that happen?
Corey’s age truly is just a number to her. She does not remember how old she was, is or will be. Those of you who know us, we keep our sense of humor when it comes to living with brain injury (sometimes a little warped, no malice intended). When Corey shouts out the answer to a math fact, our reply is “thank you RainMan”. When she walked her last 6min timed test for Devina, she turned to me and whispered, “run Forrest run”. When it comes to the date, day, month or year, she reminds me of the cartoon Frosty the Snowman when his hat fly’s off. Each time he puts it back on it’s his birthday…Corey virtually puts her Top Hat on multiple times a day…if we can find it! That’s ok because every time she remembers she’s celebrating her day!
We’ve learned a lot in the last 6 years but the greatest lesson is best explained in a poem called The Dash by Linda Ellis. The meaning behind the poem mixed with that lovable character trait from Frosty is how we celebrate everyday.
My wish for you Corey-girl…renewed Confidence, Independence, Freedom, Joy in the quality of your life, Laughter, Friendship, and Pride every time you put on your Chefs Coat xoxo I love you so much xoxo
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 her date of her 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 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?